2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents Ryan Dolibois Executive Director For 15 years, Yellowstone has been a beacon of light in Houston s Third Ward providing students with a high quality education that will prepare them for their futures. Our students are bright, ambitious, and full of talent. Our job as educators is to make learning a joy for them--so that each day they come to school excited to prepare for their future. Yellowstone is one of the few schools in the nation that is truly a community endeavor. We ask every family admitted to the school to pay a portion of the tuition costs for their student to attend and the rest of the funding required to operate the school is donated from generous individuals, businesses, churches, and foundations. Our supporters come from more than 40 Houston area zip codes providing the additional support necessary to operate the school. We invite you to join us and walk side by side as we transform Houston s educational landscape. Thank you for your prayers, service, and financial contributions that help make us a premier educational institution. Our success as a school is only possible with your support. 3 Academics 5 Community Engagement 7 Extracurricular 9 Fundraising Events 11 Profile of a Future Teacher Ryan Dolibois Executive Director 13 Celebrating 15 Years
Academics For 15 years Yellowstone Academy has been committed to providing students with a rigorous and relevant academic program that will prepare them to excel in high school, college, and career. Yellowstone is committed to tracking our students progress. At the year-end testing, 100% of Pre-K4 students were making acceptable progress in both phonological awareness and math, indicating they are well prepared for kindergarten. Yellowstone continues to see growth in our elementary school students performance as well. According to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, 74% of Yellowstone s 8th grade students tested at proficient or advanced in reading and 95% scoring proficient or advanced in math. The school continues to evaluate methods to differentiate academic instruction to drive high academic performance. 100% PHONOLOGICAL & MATH SKILLS PREK-4 Eighth Grade Graduates The cumulative benefit of Yellowstone s program is apparent from the way our students go on to succeed. Our eighth grade graduates were granted admission to multiple top high ranking high schools throughout Houston. Each student is attending a high quality school. 50% Private 33% Magnet 17% Charter Students are attending the following schools: Chinquapin Christo Rey Jesuit DeBakey High School Energy Institute Episcopal High School High School for Law and Justice Houston Academy for International Studies Jones Future Academy/ Allied Health KIPP Sunnyside South Early College St. Thomas Episcopal Westbury Christian
Community Engagement Yellowstone students joined local artists for a week of camp hosted by Young Audiences of Houston. Yellowstone Academy is a community school. Our students flourish when our community invests in them. Volunteers and community partners played a vital role in ensuring that today s Yellowstone students are prepared to lead tomorrow. During the 2016-2017 school year, 695 volunteers provided nearly 5,000 hours of service to our school. Our volunteers hailed from nearly 40 zip codes in the Houston area and enriched every aspect of our campus life. Volunteers served as academic tutors, mentors, and lunch buddies each week. Corporate groups signed on to sponsor a grade through monthly activities designed to improve students confidence and leadership skills. A few brave souls rolled up their sleeves to paint our students lockers like book spines, put down stakes for our learning garden, and spruce up our playground. Our annual school supply and uniform distribution was staffed entirely by corporate and community volunteers who held collection drives as well. Volunteers also provided each Yellowstone student with more than a dozen books throughout the year at quarterly book drives to build students home libraries. 5,000+ VOLUNTEER HOURS PROVIDED BY VOLUNTEERS 695 VOLUNTEERS FROM 40+ ZIP CODES Volunteers joined our students faith walk by serving as Pre-K chapel leads, planning our annual Christmas celebration, and celebrating victories with graduation luncheons. Our students value these relationships and took pride in sharing their love with volunteers at the Angel Luncheon. Community Partnerships Community partnerships continue to be an essential component of Yellowstone s program. Through partnerships with Houston Food Bank, Assistance League of Houston, Interface Samaritan, University Eye Institute at the University of Houston, Christian Community Service Center, University of Texas School of Dentistry, and Express Yourself Clearly, Yellowstone cares for students holistically.
Extracurricular During the 2016-2017 school year, Yellowstone committed to providing students with an enriching education that was complemented by extracurricular activities. We know our students achieve higher in the classroom when they have opportunities to engage their talents outside of the classroom. Yellowstone students participated in leadership programming through Leading Ladies, Sassy Ladies, the Brotherhood, and Boy Scouts of America. They learned financial literacy and entrepreneur skills during Lemonade Day and with the help of our partners at Cadence Bank. Other extracurricular activities included: Chapel Arts Chess Club Perfect TeamPlay Inc. Book Club IWrite Club Choir African Drumming Circle- Young Audiences of Houston NASA STEM Program for Middle School Girls Swimming Lessons for 3rd and 4th Grade students Play performances Prayer Partners Student Ambassadors Yellowstone students started their own businesses and learned how to manage money during Lemonade Day! Athletic Highlights It was a great year for the Yellowstone Lions! Led by Coach Davis and many wonderful volunteers and parents, the Lions learned teamwork and character skills as they brought home more than a few trophies. The Boy s Basketball team was undefeated and won 1st place in the District League. The Girl s Basketball and Volleyball teams each earned second place trophies in the District League. The 4th & 5th Grade Soccer team scored two goals during their inaugural season. The Cheer and Dance teams both competed in their first competition. The Flag Football team won 1st place in the District League! The Track & Field teams experienced great success with many individual victories.
Fundraising Events Beautiful Day More than 675 guests attended the 9th Annual Yellowstone Academy Breakfast. Chaired by Leslie and Randy Newcomer, and with more than 60 table hosts, the event raised a record-breaking $1.37 million for Yellowstone Academy s daily operations. Love Brunch 200 ladies gathered at the Astorian to give their hearts to Yellowstone as they enjoyed mimosas and coffee-bar drinks, as well as a delicious Valentine s Day brunch provided by Cordua Catering. With the help of chairs Connally Burroughs, Grace and Carroll Cartwright, Brittany Hildebrand, and Leticia Trauber, the Love Brunch raised more than $200,000 for Yellowstone Academy scholarships. Stomping of the Divots A crowd of Houston s young professionals gathered at the Houston Polo Club on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to enjoy an exciting polo match, delicious food, and a silent auction. Chaired by Yellowstone Academy teachers Desirae Thomas and Rebecca Reed, these young professionals stomped their way to raising nearly $100,000 for the Academy s daily operations. Golf Classic Golfers participating in the 2017 Yellowstone Academy Golf Classic enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at the Houston Golf Club on May 8th. Chairs Chris Wallace and Ben Beckham led this year s event to raise nearly $250,000 in scholarships for Yellowstone students.
Profile of a Future Teacher Brea Groce Started Yellowstone in First Grade Second Baptist School - Private Graduated May 2016 Future Plans: Elementary Education and Yellowstone Academy Teacher! Accepted to LSU, Dallas Baptist, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, HBU, and Baylor I m coming back! During my time at Yellowstone, I learned several things that will remain with me forever. I learned to work hard and finish strong whether things are going my way or not. I learned to serve others through Student Council and service projects like Living Water. I learned to explore and embrace new opportunities on trips to Austin, San Antonio, and others. Most of all, I learned that a community of teachers and volunteers like the Leading Ladies cared about my future. The journey through high school was tough but rewarding. I was in the choir and the Super Hero Club where we participated in service projects and fund raisers for non-profits. Throughout my high school years, I continued to work hard to stay on the honor roll. I am proud to say that I am a graduate of Second Baptist School, and Yellowstone guided me through every step of the way. By the beginning of my senior year of high school, I knew that my purpose in life is to be a teacher. I am excited to continue this journey at Sam Houston University where I have been awarded the Smith-Hutson Scholarship. I am looking forward to getting my degree in elementary education so that I can come back to Yellowstone as a teacher and share the many blessings that I received. Brea Gross, Yellowstone Class of 2012, Second Baptist High School Class of 2016, attends Sam Houston University on a full scholarship. She had a successful freshman year and declared education as her major. During the summer, she interned at Breakthrough Houston as a teaching intern. Brea intends to be the first Yellowstone graduate to return as a teacher.
Celebrating Years of Education For 15 years, Yellowstone Academy has been entrusted with the education of some of Houston s brightest scholars. Our students are bright, ambitious, and full of talent, and we are ready to celebrate their many successes! Throughout the 2017-18 academic year, we will be celebrating our amazing students and families, and the fantastic work they are doing to make our community better than ever. We are privileged to join in this work with them, and we hope that you will continue to partner with them as well. Learn more and make plans to join us in our anniversary celebrations by visiting our website at yellowstoneacademy.org/ anniversary. Party in the Park April 5, 2018 Levy Park This unique, first-time event will be the culminating celebration of Yellowstone s 15 th year. There will be an amazing band and tasty bites, so leave your tuxedos and gowns at home and put on your dancing shoes!
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