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The mission of Jack Yates High School is to achieve and maintain a level of excellence, in order to ensure the success of every student. Ensuring the success of every student requires students who are receptive to learning, teachers committed to the success of all of the students, and all parents supportive of the educational process. Ultimately, our mission is to prepare students to become productive, responsible, lifelong learners, who are well prepared to succeed and contribute to society. Jack Yates Senior High School, the second black minority high school in the city, opened on February 8, 1926 with 17 teachers and 600 students. Located at 2610 Elgin, the school was named in honor of the Reverend Jack Yates, a highly respected and noted minister. He was pastor of Bethel and Antioch Baptist churches around which the Fourth Ward community of Houston grew. The late Reverend Yates sponsored other churches and schools in the state of Texas and served with excellent leadership, especially emphasizing education directed toward youth as future leaders. The late James D. Ryan was principal from opening date in 1926 until his death in 1941. Succeeding him was William S. Holland who served as vice principal and athletic coach. The school remained at its original site until 1958 and the old building was then appropriately named in honor of its first principal, James D. Ryan. The building has been renovated and currently bears the name of James D. Ryan Middle School. In September of 1958, Jack Yates Senior High School was moved to its present location, 3703 Sampson Street, due to over crowded conditions at the old site. These conditions were due in part to the rapid growth of Metropolitan Houston and the popularity of a school destined for greatness. To this landmark educational institution has been the addition of the Magnet School of Communications at the beginning of the 1978-79 school year. The school is housed in what the community and the students know as the “new wing” of the original building. Construction was started on a new three-story addition in 1984 that was attached to the original building. Jack Yates High School has an enrollment of between 1500 and 1700 students. This great institution has been guided through the past 78 years by eleven principals who have helped it to achieve its mission as a service institution for secondary education. The following principals instilled the school’s motto, “Character and Achievement”, in the hearts of Yates’ students: the late James D. Ryan (1926-1941); the late William S. Holland (1941-1958); the late John E. Codwell (1958-1964); the late James R. Alexander (1964-1972); Herbert Melton (1972-1978); Osby Mitchell, Sr. (1978-1986); Joseph Drayton (1986-1988); Chet D. Smith (1988-1990); Dr. Ronald Johnson (1990-1995); Lloyd D. Choice (1995-1999), Dr. Robert F. Worthy (1999-2003), George R. August (2003-2007), Winston Steele (2007-2008). and the present principal, Ronald Mumphery. Jack Yates High School has been a major force in the Third Ward community for 83 years. We feel very proud and thankful for the legacy of excellence this institution has accomplished during that time. |
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