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

February 14th: Staff Professional Development (No Classes for Students)

February 17th: President's Day (Holiday - No Classes)

February 22nd 8am-12pm: Tutorials/Attendance Appeal (To remove NGs from transcript)

Celebrating Ms. Champs for Counselor Appreciation Week!

This week, we celebrate the heart of student support at MLCPA—our incredible counselor, Ms. Champs! Her unwavering dedication to our students, families, and staff is truly inspiring. She wears many hats, from guiding students through challenges to providing invaluable support to teachers, always with compassion and care.

We are deeply grateful for her commitment, and this week is the perfect time to show our appreciation for all she does to make a difference at MLCPA!

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

Dear Knights Family,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are ready to take on Week 23!

**"Knights, true character is revealed not when others are watching, but in the choices we make when no one is looking. Success is built on integrity, discipline, and a commitment to doing what is right—simply because it is right. As Knights, we hold ourselves to the highest standards, embodying our core values each day.

Let us be honorable in our actions, respectful in our words, and intelligent in our decisions. Let us be neighborly to those around us, helpful in times of need, and resourceful in overcoming challenges. Let us remain healthy in body and mind and faithful to our goals and responsibilities.

Stay focused, show up, and give your best—not for recognition, but because excellence is a habit worth building. Let’s make each day count!"**

Important Updates

Schedule for This Week: B-Week

• 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)

Dual Credit Students – EDUC 1300

Dual Credit students have completed their second week. Assignments were due Sunday, February 2, 2025, by 11:59 PM. Please ask your student to share their syllabus with you, as it contains critical details, including no late work and no extra credit policies. Assignments can be completed during Advocacy to minimize weekend workload.

Tutorials/Attendance Appeal

The first attendance appeal session will take place on February 22nd for students needing to remove asterisks (NGs) from their transcripts due to excessive absences. While students may have passed the class, too many absences prevent them from earning credit. Required attendance hours vary based on the number of absences. For details, please contact Ms. Champs, our counselor.

Important Reminders

Senior Responsibilities

Some seniors must complete online courses to meet graduation requirements. While progress has been made, additional effort is needed for some students. Please encourage them to prioritize these courses. For questions, contact Ms. Champs. Our goal is 100% graduation this spring!

Dress Code Update

• Monday–Thursday: Shirt, tie, and blazer/cardigan/sweater vest
• Friday (Spirit Day): MLCPA spirit wear or college/university attire
• Polos:
• High School: Blue polos
• Middle School: Green polos
• Distribution is coming soon. The first shirt is free, additional polos are $20 each.
• Polos will be worn Monday–Wednesday; Thursday is reserved for the shirt, tie, and blazer/cardigan.
• Additional Notes:
• Slides, Crocs, and house shoes are not permitted.
• Due to heating issues, students may wear beanies indoors, but hoods must be removed upon entry.

Cell Phones & Headphones – Strictly Enforced!

• Permitted during breakfast and lunch for high school students ONLY.
• Not allowed during class or transitions.
• Violations will result in a $15 fee after repeated offenses.

Chromebooks & Chargers

• Students must bring Chromebooks and chargers daily.
• Replacement chargers can be purchased online for $10–15 (search "45W USB-C charger laptop" on Amazon).
• Label chargers with colored tape to prevent loss.
• For Chromebook-related questions, contact Ms. Jordan at Chelsea.Jordan@houstonisd.org.

Attendance Matters

• Regular attendance is essential for academic success.
• Excessive absences (excused or unexcused) may result in a loss of credit for high school students.
• Submit an excuse note for any absences.

Zero Tolerance for Physical Violence

Engaging in or recording physical altercations will result in severe consequences. Let’s work together to maintain a safe and respectful environment.

Classroom Engagement – No Sleeping in Class

Students must stay actively engaged in class. Sleeping or putting heads down is not acceptable. Please help us reinforce this expectation to maintain high academic standards.

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 during the first five minutes of Advocacy.
• Late deliveries can only be retrieved at the end of the day.
• Parents delivering food must do so during their child’s designated lunch period.

Transportation Concerns

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

Progress Reports

Progress reports were sent home on Friday. Please review them with your student and reach out to teachers with any questions.

Let’s have an amazing week!

Go Knights!

Congratulations to Seniors Nathaniel, Matthew, and Brian!

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

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