School History

Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men, located in Houston, Texas, was established in August 2011 as the Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy at E.O. Smith. Inspired by models like Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy, it was created as an all-boys, college-preparatory magnet school designed to serve young men in grades 6 through 12. The school began with 6th and 9th-grade students on the historic E.O. Smith campus in Houston’s Fifth Ward. With a focus on rigorous academics, leadership, and character development, the academy quickly became known for fostering a culture of excellence.

In September 2014, the school was renamed to honor the late Congressman Mickey Leland, a Fifth Ward native and Wheatley High School alumnus who championed social justice and the fight against poverty. The school moved to the former Crawford Elementary campus and later transitioned to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility on the former Carter Career Center site in 2017. The new 136,000-square-foot campus was designed to preserve the historical elements of the original Phillis Wheatley High School, symbolizing the community’s rich legacy while propelling students into the future.

Under the leadership of founding principal Dameion Crook, the academy grew in enrollment and academic performance. By 2015, the school celebrated its first graduating class, and by 2017, it had earned national recognition, ranking #2 on The Washington Post’s list of “Most Challenging High Schools.” Principal Crook was later named the 2018 National Principal of the Year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators, acknowledging the school’s transformation into a beacon of academic and cultural excellence.

Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy continues to stand out for its commitment to college readiness, high AP participation, and strong character education. With a diverse student population and a 100% AP participation rate, the school has earned a reputation for producing graduates who are not only academically prepared but also rooted in community pride and leadership. As a symbol of opportunity and transformation in Houston’s Fifth Ward, the academy honors the legacy of its namesake while preparing young men to lead with purpose, integrity, and excellence.