The History of Yellowstone Academy

a non-profit organization formed for the purpose of establishing a high quality faith-based private school for students living in poverty.

Yellowstone Academy is a non-profit organization formed in July 2001 for the purpose of establishing a high quality faith-based private school for students living in poverty. A Board of Directors was formed, and Kim Hansen was hired as Executive Director. Kim immediately commenced a year-long project to research the concept and formulate specific plans for the school. During that year, she visited 12 inner city private schools in various cities around the country to observe their programs and to develop an understanding of “best practices” for educating children in poverty. After a year of intensive planning, Yellowstone Academy was created.

Yellowstone Academy opened in August 2002 with sixty-four 3 and 4 year old students from Houston’s Third Ward. The school originally leased facilities from the Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church. In August 2003, the school moved into the City of Refuge Church. At that time, two kindergarten classes were added, bringing total enrollment to 96. First grade was added in August 2004 adding 32 more students and enrollment grew to 128. In August 2005, the school again expanded its program, adding second grade and enrollment grew to 160 students.

In June 2006, the school took possession of Houston Independent School District’s former Douglass Elementary School. The facility is located in the heart of the Third Ward area being served by Yellowstone. Its size and design, particularly with the recent completion of a gym, will fully satisfy the school’s facility needs for the foreseeable future.