Welcome Home to YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary!
Welcome Home to YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary! As the Founding Principal, I’m excited to join this community and partner with our families to create a school where every child is known, loved, and supported in reaching their full potential.
As a family, you have many important decisions to make in life, and choosing the best school for your child is one of the most significant. At YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary, we are committed to being a place where your child will thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe in cultivating Big Hearts and Brilliant Minds, building a community where kindness, empathy, and strong relationships help students grow into caring individuals who make a positive difference. At the same time, we spark a love for learning, encouraging students to think deeply, embrace challenges, and develop a passion for growth.
Our dedicated teachers are the heartbeat of our school. They are highly skilled, deeply committed, and driven by a passion for student success. Through their unwavering support and belief in every child’s potential, they create engaging, rigorous learning experiences that inspire curiosity and achievement.
Our vision is clear: every student will dream big and be equipped with the knowledge, character, and confidence needed to succeed in college and beyond. We are committed to providing a joyful, nurturing home away from home where students are challenged to excel academically and grow as individuals.
I look forward to working with you to ensure every student at YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary has the support and opportunities needed to thrive. Together, we will build a strong foundation for success.
With dedication and gratitude,
Ashley Smith
Founding Principal
YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary
About Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith is a passionate and dedicated educator with over a decade of experience serving globally diverse learners. As the Founding Principal of YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary, she is committed to establishing a high-quality, college-ready culture where students develop the skills and confidence to pursue their dreams.
Originally from Temple Hills, Maryland, Ashley’s journey in education began in 2011 during her studies in child and adolescent development in India. She later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in human development from the University of Maryland, College Park, and went on to obtain a dual master’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education from The Catholic University of America.
Her career has taken her from Washington, D.C., where she worked with children experiencing housing instability, to Louisiana and Texas, where she played a key role in founding and leading schools. Before launching Brays Oaks Elementary, Ashley served as the founding assistant principal of YES Prep Southside Elementary and as a resident principal at YES Prep East End Elementary.
Ashley is driven by a passion for culturally responsive education, community engagement, and student achievement. She is dedicated to creating a joyful and academically enriching school where all students feel safe, challenged, and inspired to succeed.
Beyond her work in education, Ashley is a wife, mother, and published children’s author. She finds joy in exploring new places, spending quality time with her family, and sharing laughter with loved ones.
At YES Prep Brays Oaks Elementary, Ashley is excited to build a school where every child knows they belong and where the SPARKS Core Values light the way toward a bright future.