Urban America is in crisis.

• 25% of Houston families with children live in poverty.
• 61% of low-income 8th graders cannot perform basic math operations.
• Children living in poverty typically score below the 35th percentile on national achievement tests.
• A 2001 Harvard study shows the dropout rate for urban 9th graders is 40-50% in cities, including Houston.
• These conditions contribute to the prevalence of crime, single parenthood and chronic unemployment among low income families.

YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY opened in the Third Ward of Houston in August 2002 with the express intention of exclusively serving very low income children growing up in difficult family circumstances. A profile of our students follows:

• 72 MALES, 88 FEMALES
• 96% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 2% HISPANIC, 2% CAUCASIAN
• MEDIAN FAMILY ANNUAL INCOME: $9,600
• 53% FROM FAMILIES THAT RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
• 79% LIVE IN SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS

YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the problems caused by the cycle of illegitimacy, illiteracy and dependency that plague families in poverty. Our goal is to reach children in circumstances that create a high probability of life dysfunction and to provide for them the environment and tools that will lead to a high probability of life success.

YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY exists to promote human flourishing among Houston's poorest families. The school was established based on the premise that, through education and intensive intervention, children living in poverty can transcend their circumstances and grow up to become responsible, productive adults. Poverty is more a function of circumstances than race or ethnicity, and the circumstances that perpetuate poverty include illiteracy, illegitimacy and dependency. These and other factors define the intergenerational cycle of poverty, and children born into such circumstances deserve the chance to break that cycle.

YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY is a faith based, comprehensive approach to addressing the multi-dimensional challenges of poverty in the lives of children and their families from the platform of a high quality private pre-school through eighth grade educational institution. The school exclusively serves children from low-income families with a program designed to provide them the educational, spiritual, social and practical resources they need to succeed in life. In partnership with the City of Refuge Community Development Center, Yellowstone reaches out to address the needs of the families as well.