The Kinder Morgan Foundation (the Foundation) is proud to have chosen YES Prep Public Schools for the fifth consecutive year as a grant recipient, marking nearly $200,000 in contributions since 2021.
YES Prep serves as a prime example of an organization effectively utilizing funding from the Foundation to expand its reach and invest in STEM-focused tools and curriculum. Founded in 1998, YES Prep started with just a few portable buildings and approximately 300 students in Southeast Houston. Today, it serves nearly 21,000 students across 26 campuses throughout the Houston area.
“The impact of the Kinder Morgan Foundation’s support goes beyond a single gift,” said YES Prep Director of Development Katie Kalenda Daggett. “Its support provides resources like STEM labs and mentorship programs, preparing students for success in college and in their careers. Families also see a committed partner invested in their children's futures.”
STEM roles are expected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, offering higher earning potential than many non-STEM careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, only 20% of U.S. high school graduates are ready for college-level STEM courses. To combat this, YES Prep delivers a strong STEM education as early as elementary school.
“Walking into one of the Science Lab classrooms, I was amazed to see students applying what they had learned in a previous science class to a hands-on STEM lab experiment,” said Kinder Morgan Foundation Program Manager Carolina Kulbeth. “I witnessed first-hand the education students receive through exploratory activities that include earth and physical science, engineering, circuits, and an introduction to coding.”
In the hallway outside a math classroom, YES Prep Southeast Elementary Principal Jorge Rodriguez mentioned that one of the teachers goes above and beyond her role by providing parents with an online recording that explains how to help their children solve math problems. This resource equips parents with the right tools to explain solutions to equations at home, just as a teacher would in the classroom.
YES Prep not only emphasizes STEM education but also promotes a college-readiness culture in its elementary schools. At YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary, each homeroom adopts a college identity. For example, in the Baylor homeroom, students might chant, “We are Bears!” while organizing their classroom materials around this theme, as explained by Director of STEM Programs Yesenia Gomez. “These consistent practices help normalize higher education as an expectation and build excitement about the future early on,” she said.
Another way YES Prep stands out from other schools is that they open their doors to children in the neighborhood. For example, Southeast Elementary Librarian Britney Ghee opens the library several times a year to families, giving them access to thousands of books that they might not otherwise be able to find.
“These events are joyful opportunities for students and parents to choose books together, fostering a reading culture at home,” said Rodriguez. “Access alone isn’t enough, so we launched a tutoring program that provides trained tutors for small group skill-building sessions. By combining book access with academic support, we're helping students discover a love for reading.”
The Foundation is pleased to be a part of the great work at YES Prep Public Schools and hopes to see their growth continue to expand across the Houston area for many years to come.
