Type Public school Enrollment 136 (2014-2015) Number of students 136 (2014–2015) Faculty 15 | Grades 9-12 Phone +1 713-270-2006 Founded 1996 | |
Similar Southwest Elementary School, Harmony Science Academy, Victory Preparato Academy, Educatio Leadership Inc, Jane Long Academy | ||
Girls and Boys Preparatory Academy (GBPA) is a 5-12 state charter primary and secondary school located in Greater Sharpstown, Houston, Texas.
The school received its operating charter in 1995. It was one of the first 19 charter schools to ever open in the State of Texas. According to an article of the African-American News and Issues, Carroll Salley, a former employee of the Houston Independent School District, opened the school because she did not like how African-American students were treated in HISD.
In 1996, the school opened in a three story office building. Soon after the opening, the school administrators learned that they needed to spend $30,000 so the building was in compliance with City of Houston fire codes. In 1997 the school had about 350 students in grades 6 through 12. Most of them were African American. During that year the school offered Arabic, French, Spanish, and Swahili.
In 2008 the Texas Education Agency ranked the school "academically unacceptable." In 2011 the school had a 50% graduation rate.