Photo: Yates High School and HISD

In February Jack Yates Senior High School celebrated 100 years as an educational and cultural anchor for the District’s historic Third Ward. On February 8, 1926, Yates Colored High School opened as just the second Houston high school for African Americans with only 17 teachers and around 600 students. Just like the neighborhood itself, Yates went through ups and downs, through growth spurts, segregation and desegregation. In fact, desegregation in 1970 caused problems as many upper and middleclass Blacks pulled their children from Yates and sent them to high schools in the tonier Bellaire and River Oaks. The School for Communications, opened in 1978, earned national recognition as has the International Baccalaureate school and the innovative Maritime Academy which works with the Port of Houston to prepare students for careers in maritime logistics. In 2018 a new $59.4 million campus was opened on Alabama Street next to the older campus. High has come a long way in last century and continues to follow its motto of “Pride. Excellence. Tradition.”

Who was Jack Yates?

Rev. Jack Yates was a former enslaved person who became one of the most influential Black leaders in19th century Houston. He founded Bethel and Antioch Missionary Baptist churches int the Fourth Ward and was one of four African Americans from that church who purchased land in the Third Ward for a park where the community could celebrate Juneteenth. The land was later donated to the city and is now Emancipation Park, the oldest public park in Houston.

Debbie Allen Went Here

Debbie Allen, a talented dancer, actor, director, producer, and choreographer, was born in the Third Ward. Most known for her role as a dance teacher in the movie Fame, she also starred in and directed the TV series based on the movie. She graduated from Yates in 1967 one year after her older sister Phylicia Ayers-Allen. Known professionally by her married name Rashad, who is also a talented actress best known for her role as Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show, both sisters have won accolades in the arts and are recognized as major forces in arts and education. 

A Magnet School

Houston Independent School District has 118 magnet schools out of 273 schools. Jack Yates High School is a magnet school which means they offer specialized, theme-based curricula—such as STEM, communications, performing arts, or international studies—designed to attract a diverse student body to prepare for careers during their high schools. Yates offers magnet programs in maritime logistics, commercial photography, music production, and dual credit for TV and film production.

The Student Body

Compared to the thousands of students at inner city schools such as Lamar High School, Yates has only about 800 students. According to the Texas Tribune, 84 percent of the 2023-2024 student body was African American, roughly 14 percent Hispanic, one percent White, and less than one percent were American Indian. Four-point-four percent were enrolled in gifted and talented programs. And yes, they have a dress code.

Basketball

While football is king in most Texas high schools, basketball is held in equally high esteem at Yates. Under Coach Greg Wise the Lions have won five state titles, once had a 66-game winning streak, and have turned out multiple NBA players. Wise has hit his 1,000^th win. Go Lions!

by Marene Gustin