Mission: To educate and inspire every young man to think, to learn, and to succeed by offering a rigorous Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement academic program.

Vision: To empower every young man to excel academically, lead confidently, and positively impact their community.

School Hours: 8:30am - 4:10pm

(Doors will open at 7:30am)

Dress code will be enforced beginning first day of school.

Campus Twitter: @MLelandPrep

Basketball Team Twitter: @LelandKnightsBb

Basketball Team IG: @lelandknightsbasketball

Dear Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy Family,

It is with immense excitement that I join the Mickey Leland family as your new principal. I am truly honored to be a part of this exceptional community and am eager to collaborate with each and every student, parent, teacher, and stakeholder.

As we embark on this new academic year, I am committed to ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education from our dedicated and talented teachers. Together, we will create a supportive and dynamic learning environment where our young men can thrive academically, develop leadership skills, and become responsible citizens.

I look forward to an outstanding start to the year and a productive school year filled with growth, achievement, and success for all our students. Let's work together to make this year the best one yet!

Warm Regards,

RaNajee Thomas

Principal

Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men

rthoma24@houstonisd.org

Welcome!

I have had the pleasure of being part of the Mickey Leland community since it opened. I received my B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown and my M.Ed. in Educational Leader from the University of North Texas.

jcoronad@houstonisd.org

Welcome!

chelsea.jordan@houstonisd.org

Ms. Champs is a Houston native and Houston Independent School District graduate. She brings a wealth of experience and passion to the education field. Ms. Champs holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A&M. She began her career in 2013 as a 6th-8th grade ELAR teacher at Lamar Fleming Middle School. There, Ms. Champs demonstrated leadership and versatility, holding positions like Master Scheduler, Testing Coordinator, AVID Coordinator, and Counselor.

Driven by a passion for student development, Ms. Champs transitioned to a Teacher Specialist of ELAR role at Ross Shaw Sterling High School in 2018, before fully transitioning to a Counselor role. Throughout her tenure, Ms. Champs has empowered students at Wheatley High School and Westfield High School, fostering critical thinking, lifelong learning, and responsible citizenship.

benita.champs@houstonisd.org

Ms. Huntley is a dedicated scholarly leader, educator, and lifelong learner with eight years of experience in education. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Educational Foundations from the University of Oregon, she began her career in HISD, working with students on the autism spectrum, where she developed skills in individualized instruction, adaptability, and emotional resilience. Her exceptional dedication earned her the Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Huntley furthered her expertise by earning a master’s degree in Special Education Leadership and a Principal Certification from the University of Houston, later serving as a Special Education Department Chair, where she improved instructional quality and compliance. As a Magnet and IB Coordinator, she oversaw program alignment with school missions and student needs. Currently pursuing her Ed.D. in K-12 Leadership at the University of Houston, Ms. Huntley is passionate about supporting historically marginalized communities and aspires to establish organizations that provide targeted advocacy and resources to empower these groups.

alicia.rocker@houstonisd.org

bshelto3@houstonisd.org

emcnairy@houstonisd.org

lwalke14@houstonisd.org

Click the Calendar above to be taken to the school calendar located on the school website

May 20th: NWEA MAP Math Test (6-8th Grade)

May 21th: NWEA MAP Reading Test (6-8th Grade)

May 22nd: NWEA MAP Science Test (6-8th Grade)

May 22nd: Sports Physicals 1pm-3pm on campus for $25

May 23rd: Western Tailgate Day (Western Attire)

May 24th (Saturday): Attendance Appeal 8:30am - 12:30pm

May 27th: Weapon Detection Parent Meeting @ 5:30pm

May 28th: 8th Grade Field Trip (Flight Museum)

May 30th: Field Day

June 2nd: 8th Grade Promotional Ceremony

June 3rd: 6th and 7th Grade Awards Ceremony @ 2pm

June 4th: Last day of school for students🎉

Please contact Mrs. Kalantar, Assistant Principal, for details!

Greetings Knights Family,

Welcome to week 37!

We have on 13 days left of the school year. Let’s finish off the year strong. We have seniors taking finals and MAP testing this week for middle school students. Finals for students grades 9th through 11th are the week of Memorial Day.

Attendance over these last few weeks is vital. Please plan to be present each and every day.

This week will be a A-Week:

• Monday: A-Day (Periods 1–4)
• Tuesday: B-Day (Periods 5–8)
• Wednesday: A-Day (Periods 1–4)
• Thursday: B-Day (Periods 5–8)
• Friday: A-Day (Periods 1–4)

Middle School MAP Testing

Tuesday: Math

Wednesday: Reading

Thursday: Science

Students who grow by at least 10 points from the MOY will be entered into a drawing for a $25 dollar gift card. There will be a total of 3 cards given away. Also…students who grow by at least $15 will be included in a pizza party.

Below are the number of points for each grade level required to exemplify a year of growth for each of their test.

*A 6th grade student should grow at least 8 points in math, 6 in ELA, and 5 in science

*A 7th grade student should grow at least 7 points in math, 5 in ELA, and 4 in science

*An 8th grade student should grow at least 5 points in math, 4 in ELA, and 3 in science

AP Testing Make Ups

Some high school students missed the administration of their AP exams. Make ups will take place this week.

Field Day

We are excited to announce our Field Day at Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men on Friday, May 30, 2025!

🎉 All Leland Knights will enjoy a day of fun featuring:

• Free sports
• Exciting games
• Awesome prizes
• Delicious food

This special event is a celebration of our students’ hard work and accomplishments, and we would love your help to make it a huge success!

🙋‍♂️ Parent Volunteers & Sponsors Needed!

We are calling on our amazing MLCPA families and community members to:

• Volunteer your time
• Donate supplies
• Or Sponsor a class

For more information please contact Ms. Huntley at Daisha.Huntley@houstonisd.org and sign up to volunteer at Visitor Report | Cheddar Up

Summer School

Summer school notification letters have been sent home by students. To clarify, students who received a letter have been either Required or Recommended to attend summer school. The letter will clearly state which applies to your student, along with the reason for the designation.

• Required means your child must attend summer school in order to meet academic requirements.
• Recommended indicates that an academic gap has been identified, and attending summer school would help close that gap and prevent future challenges.

We encourage all families to review the letter carefully. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school directly.

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring the success of our Knights!

Important Reminders

Senior Responsibilities (Ongoing)

Some seniors MUST complete online courses to meet graduation requirements. While progress has been made, additional effort is needed. Please encourage students to stay on track. For questions, contact Ms. Champs. Our goal is 100% graduation this spring!

Cell Phones & Headphones – Strictly Enforced!

• High School Students: Permitted only during breakfast and lunch only.
• Not allowed during class or transitions.

Chromebooks & Chargers

• Students must bring Chromebooks & chargers daily.
• Replacement chargers: Available online for $10–15 (search "45W USB-C charger laptop" on Amazon).
• Label chargers with colored tape to prevent loss.
• For Chromebook concerns, contact Ms. Jordan at Chelsea.Jordan@houstonisd.org
• Collection plan is forthcoming. (All students are required to turn in their device. Seniors MUST turn in their device to satisfy senior checkout and graduation requirements.

Attendance Matters

Though we are close to the end of the year, attendance still matters.

• Regular attendance is essential for academic success.
• Excessive absences (excused or unexcused) may result in loss of credit for high school students.
• Submit an excuse note for any absences.
• Students will be contacted soon to review their individual plan for recovering credit due to absences.

Classroom Engagement

• No Sleeping in Class
• Students must be actively engaged in class.
• No sleeping or putting heads down.
• We are only weeks away from STAAR, AP Testing, and graduation for seniors—every moment counts!

Food Deliveries – High School Only

Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other food delivery services are a privilege for high school students only.

• Orders must be placed within the first five minutes of Advocacy.
• Late deliveries can only be picked up at the end of the day.
• Parents dropping off food must do so during their child’s designated lunch period.

Transportation Concerns

For transportation issues, contact Ms. Huntley at Daisha.Huntley@houstonisd.org or call the campus directly.

Let’s have an amazing week!

Go Knights!

$20 each

.

Scroggins Elementary

Congratulations Giovanni and Jesus!

Congratulations Brian Moorehead!

Congratulations to Cristobal Quijano!

MS Baseball

Successfully defeated North Forest High School over the break.

Teen Engineering Tech Center Foundation Partnership for rising 9th Grade Students

Exposure to career pathways that require less than a four-year degree.

The 7th-grade class was rewarded with a pizza party for donating the most books to Climon, an 11th grade student at Mickey Leland, in support of his project for his upcoming Eagle Scout salute.

Mickey Leland College Prep Visual Arts students honor the legacy of Joe Overstreet with powerful, suspended canvas inspired by his work. Their art blends personal narratives with activism, reflecting both Overstreet’s influence and their voices on social change.

Celebrating Knights of the week.

Congratulations to Seniors Nathaniel, Matthew, and Brian!

(Middle School Robotics)

5th-grade boys from HISD elementary schools had the opportunity to explore all that Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men has to offer.

🌟 A huge shoutout to Climon, Adekunle, and Jose for volunteering at the Houston Food Bank over the break. There goes a Knight! 🛡️✨

MLCPA 6th Grader, Tristan, volunteers daily with the fire department. You can catch him before school and after school. There goes a Knight! #CoreValue5 Helpful in our Community

Giovanni and George, seniors, proudly represented our school at the Focus City Showcase Flyball Jubilee in Montgomery, Alabama, hosted by the Players Alliance. As the only two students selected to attend this event, they showcased their skills and dedication, making our school community proud.

The PTO encourages parents/guardians to participate in the PTO by becoming a member. Membership has its privileges. Members are the first to receive announcements, invitations, events and activities. If you would like to become a member, please go onto the PTO online store to complete the information. Membership starts at:

· $25--bronze membership (per family) allows (1) vote in the general PTO meeting.

· $50--silver membership, (per family) allows (2) votes in the general PTO meeting.

· $100--gold membership, (per family), allows (2) votes+family access (up to 4 people) in (1) PTO sponsored event.

· $250--business donation, allows (1) week of the business name on PTO newsletter and on PTO social media outlets. *Donations are also welcome from friends, family members, and/or small businesses.

knightsptoinfo@gmail.com