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!

lakeyshure.marzell@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

December 9th: Biology EOC STAAR; Makeups Dec 4th – 13th

🟥December 11th: MS Parent Meeting @ CANCELLED *Will be rescheduled🟥

December 12th: HS Parent Meeting @ 5:30pm & Senior Meeting immediately following @ 6:30pm

December 16th – 20th: High School Fall Course Final Exams; Makeup upon student return

December 17th: Mid-Year Social Studies; 6-8th Grades; Makeups Dec 19th or 20th

December 16th - 20th: Finals week

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

Greetings MLCPA Parents and Students,

Welcome to Week 17! The end of the semester is quickly approaching, with just two weeks remaining before the Winter Break. Let’s make everyday count by ensuring students attend school daily, stay engaged in their classes, and complete all assignments on time.

B-Week Schedule:

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

Important Updates & Reminders

STAAR EOC Retesting for High School Students:
High school students retaking STAAR EOC exams will test this week:

• December 9th: Biology EOC STAAR

It’s critical that students are present on their testing day, well-rested, and ready to perform their best. Passing STAAR EOC exams is a graduation requirement. For questions regarding test eligibility, contact Ms. Chelsea Jordan at chelsea.jordan@houstonisd.org.

Final Exams:
Final exams will take place from December 16th–20th. The schedule for final exams has already been provided. Please encourage students to begin preparing now to ensure their success.

Parent Meetings:

• Middle School Parents: December 11th
• High School Parents: December 12th
  Both meetings will cover critical updates, dress code expectations, upcoming events, and potential revisions to the campus master and bell schedules for next semester.

Senior Meeting: Immediately following the High School Parent Meeting on December 12th, senior parents and guardians will discuss dues, fees, and updates related to graduation.

Progress Reports:
Progress reports were distributed last Friday. Please review them with your student and contact the campus with any questions.

Uniform and Appearance:
Students must adhere to the dress code daily, which includes a shirt, tie, and blazer. Uniforms should be clean, wrinkle-free, and in good condition. If your student needs assistance with uniform items, contact the campus. Parents, please check your student’s uniform before they leave home each morning.

Cell Phones & Headphones:
Devices are only permitted during breakfast and lunch. During class or transitions, they must remain out of sight. Violations will result in confiscation, with a $15 fee applied after repeated offenses. Note: Checking the time during class is considered phone usage.

Chromebook Chargers:
Students must bring Chromebook chargers daily. Replacement chargers can be purchased online for $10-15 (search “45W USB-C charger laptop”). To prevent loss, mark chargers with colored tape. For questions, contact Ms. Jordan at chelsea.jordan@houstonisd.org.

Attendance:
Regular attendance is critical for academic success. Students with excessive absences risk losing high school credits and may need to file an attendance appeal. Submit an excuse note for all absences.

Zero Tolerance for Physical Violence:
MLCPA has a zero-tolerance policy for physical violence. Engaging in or recording altercations will result in serious consequences. We are committed to maintaining a respectful and positive school culture.

Transportation Concerns:
For transportation issues, contact Ms. Huntley at Daisha.Huntley@houstonisd.org or call the campus. Report issues promptly to ensure timely resolutions.

Upcoming Events

Holiday Toy Drive: December 4th–9th

Help bring smiles to children in need by donating new or gently used toys, games, puzzles, and more for ages 5-15. The winning grade level will enjoy a pizza party and the opportunity to pie a teacher in the face!

Drop-off locations:

• 6th: Pesina
• 7th: Elizondo
• 8th: Johnson
• 9th: Nichols
• 10th: Vaporciyan
• 11th: Jackson
• 12th: Shelton

Personal Graduation Plans (PGP):
Parents of 8th-12th grade students should review and approve their student’s PGP through School Links. Instructions were sent home before Thanksgiving and are also attached for your reference. For help, contact Ms. Champs at benita.champs@houstonisd.org.

Join the MLCPA PTO Today:
Parents and guardians, your involvement matters! Choose from the following membership levels to support your student’s education:

• Bronze: $25 (1 voter per family)
• Silver: $50 (2 voters per family, event discounts)
• Gold: $100 (Premium access to meetings and events)

To join, email Knightsptoinfo@gmail.com or follow this link: [PTO Membership Information].

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a positive and successful learning environment. Let’s make Week 17 a success!

Go Knights!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well. As the principal of Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy, I want to take a moment to reinforce the values and expectations that make our campus unique. MLCPA is not just a school; it is a college preparatory academy — a choice you made as parents — where we uphold a prestigious dress code that sets us apart from other campuses in the district. When visitors step foot on our campus, I want them to experience the same sense of awe that you did when you first heard about our school, saw what we offer, and placed your trust in MLCPA to educate your son.

With that in mind, I want to bring an urgent matter to your attention: the importance of our young men reporting to school in the required, clean, and well-maintained attire each day. There are no exceptions to our dress code, which calls for students to wear a button-up shirt and tie daily. The tie must be properly tied and placed within the collar of the shirt. Additionally, students should wear khaki pants and appropriate shoes.

I am concerned about the lack of attention to detail in how some students are dressing. I’ve noticed wrinkles in clothing, ties not placed under collars, pants not worn at the waist, and shirts that are not properly buttoned. In some cases, students are coming to school in clothing that is torn, has holes, or is missing buttons. Attending MLCPA comes with a high expectation, and part of that expectation is reflected in how our students present themselves each day.

I understand that there may be barriers to maintaining, obtaining, or replacing the required attire, and I want to stress that we are here to help. If you have any concerns about meeting these expectations, I urge you to reach out so we can assist in coordinating support where needed.

Moving forward, I ask for your cooperation in ensuring that your child is dressed in clean, ironed, and presentable attire, free from holes, tears, or missing buttons. Please take a moment each morning to check that your son’s appearance is an appropriate representation of your family and the values of our academy. Beginning Monday, October 14th, we will start making phone calls to address any issues with attire or appearance.

As a reminder, blazers will be required starting October 14th. For those who do not have a blazer at this time, a cardigan may be worn until blazers are delivered. If you have not yet ordered a blazer or need assistance, please contact the PTO or the campus, as some support may be available.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued partnership in upholding the standards that make MLCPA a place of pride and excellence.

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

The PTO is the sole distributor of all required uniforms, except gym uniforms. The link for the PTO Uniforms Store, online platform is below but is also on the school's website:

https://leland-college-prep-pto-uniform-store.cheddarup.com