The Southwest Prep Connection
April 2025 / Issue II
Connecting School and Community for Student Success
A Note From Our Superintendent
Christinn Jean, Superintendent
Remaining engaged helps you develop valuable habits like discipline, time management, and perseverance, which are crucial for success beyond school. It’s also a time to ensure you’re fully prepared for final exams, projects, or assignments. By staying proactive and putting in that extra effort, you'll not only feel a sense of accomplishment but also set a positive tone for the future. So, stay motivated, push through, and finish the year on a high note—you’ll thank yourself later!
Southwest Preparatory Named #2 Best Charter School in San Antonio for 2025!
Thank You for Helping Us Shine!
We are incredibly honored to be named the #2 Best Charter School in San Antonio for 2025 — and we couldn’t have done it without you!
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents, staff, students, and community members who nominated us and took the time to vote. Your belief in Southwest Preparatory School means the world to us. This recognition is a reflection of the passion, dedication, and partnership we share in creating a supportive, high-quality learning environment for every student.
We’re proud to be small by design and big on personal attention—and even more proud to serve our San Antonio and Seguin communities
Here’s to continuing our journey of excellence—together!
An Immersive Art Experience
Seguin students explored and interacted with art installations at Hopscotch.
Teacher's Passion Meets Innovative Teaching
Building Bridges & Budgets
Northwest ECHS students used geometry and trigonometry to design, budget, and build marshmallow-and-toothpick bridges!
District Earns ALICE Certification for Enhanced Safety
Southwest Preparatory School is now an ALICE Certified Organization, demonstrating our commitment to school safety and active response preparedness. The ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) method provides proactive strategies to help students and staff respond effectively in emergency situations.
“Active shooter situations are unpredictable, and having a structured response plan can save lives,” said Superintendent Christinn Jean. “ALICE training empowers our staff and students to act with confidence and stay safe.”
This certification reflects our dedication to providing a secure learning environment through extensive training and emergency preparedness efforts.
Learn more about our safety initiatives by clicking the link below.
Zoo Adventure Day
What a Blockbuster Experience
History & Physics in Action
Protecting Students Through Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention
At Southwest Preparatory School, student safety is a top priority. Recognizing the dangers of human trafficking, the district has taken proactive steps to educate students, parents, and staff on how to recognize and prevent exploitation.
Through partnerships with experts like Dr. Katariina Rosenblatt and Houston Crime Stoppers' Safe School Institute, Southwest Prep provides annual student presentations, educator training, and bilingual awareness resources to equip students with the knowledge to stay safe.
“Traffickers often use deception and manipulation to lure victims,” explains Dr. Kat, a survivor and federal consultant. “Education is the key to prevention.”
To strengthen support, Southwest Prep is launching Friday night support meetings for students and parents. Additionally, the district has created a Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention webpage, offering vital resources and emergency contacts.
If you suspect trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-3737-888
Click the link below to read the full article and visit our Human Trafficking Resource page.
Learning to Ride Safely
Southeast students learn bike skills and safety with the help of the San Antonio Police Department.
Fun at Hemisfair
Soccer Division Champs
Congrats to our Northwest middle school soccer team for being Division Champions.
Chalk Talk: Cast Your Vote!
What makes a school great?
Going All Out for RAAW!
Northwest students celebrated "Green Eggs and Ham" with creative costumes, tasty treats, and fun activities—making reading week unforgettable!
Exploring the Wonders of Science
Seguin students enjoyed hands-on exhibits to fascinating demonstrations at The Science Mill in Johnson City, Texas.
Sea World Explorers
Southeast students dove into a fun, hands-on learning adventure at SeaWorld—exploring animal habitats and discovering SeaWorld’s conservation efforts.
Student Spotlight
Yuchen Ye – A Journey of Growth and Ambition
Yuchen Ye, a junior at Southwest Preparatory School, is making the most of her time as an exchange student. Originally from China, Yuchen’s decision to study in the U.S. was driven by a desire to challenge herself and enrich her life experiences. "Leaving my home country and my parents for the first time was a big challenge, but I knew it would help me grow," Yuchen said.
One of her favorite moments at Southwest Prep was Halloween, where she enjoyed the creativity of the costumes and the fun of the Truck or Treat event. Yuchen also praised her teachers, especially her financial math teacher, Ms. Allen, who taught her practical lessons that go beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, Yuchen plans to attend college in Missouri after graduation. Her advice for other students? "Keep going and never give up. You came here with ambition, so just do it!"
Yuchen will miss her teachers and classmates the most and is thankful for the support she’s received. "Thank you all for helping me adapt to a new environment," she said.
Click to read the full article on our website to learn more about Yuchen Ye.
Alumni Spotlight
Isaiah Martinez, Class of 2018
From the halls of Southwest Prep Southeast to building his own trucking business, Isaiah Martinez has been on a path of hard work, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit.
After graduating from Southwest Prep in 2018, Isaiah began his journey with a semester at St. Philip's College before deciding to pursue a career in the trades. He enrolled at JATC, a trade school where he trained to become an electrician. “It was a great opportunity for me to make good money while also learning a skill and a career with many benefits,” he shares.
Following four years of dedicated training, Isaiah earned his journeyman license. Motivated to expand his skills, he obtained his CDL license, which sparked the idea to start his own trucking business. Now, he’s working toward making that business a self-sufficient enterprise—one that will allow him to retire by age 35 and travel the world.
Isaiah credits Southwest Prep with teaching him essential lessons about building relationships within his community and developing the commitment necessary to achieve his goals. Reflecting on his time at Southwest Prep, he recalls being known as the class clown who still managed to excel academically, finishing second in his class. His favorite memories include picking up lunch for Mrs. Ynclan and playing basketball during lunch breaks with classmates who were always supportive and drama-free.
Isaiah encourages current students to explore trade careers, like becoming an electrician, HVAC technician, plumber, truck driver, or welder. “These are great options fresh out of high school. They offer job placement as well as financial help,” he advises. “In life, be true to yourself. Find things you enjoy and go do them—whether you have people with you or not.”
As Isaiah continues to build his trucking business, his sights are set on financial independence and the freedom to travel the world. His journey from Southwest Prep to successful entrepreneur serves as a testament to hard work, resilience, and the power of pursuing your own path.
Lions, Tigers and Bears
Dancing the Night Away
Bloom & Learn
Dana Fornabaio Named Southwest Prep’s First Director of Early Childhood Literacy
Southwest Preparatory School is excited to announce that Dana Fornabaio, former Principal of the Seguin Campus and Vice Principal of the Northeast Campus, has stepped into a new role as the district’s first Director of Early Childhood Literacy. With years of dedicated leadership and a deep passion for early childhood education, Dana is committed to ensuring every student builds a strong foundation in literacy from the start.
In her first year, Dana plans to assess current literacy programs, support teachers with high-quality resources, and develop a district-wide literacy plan to improve reading outcomes for our youngest learners. Her three-phase strategic approach will foster sustainable improvements over time, enhancing student success across all campuses.
Dana’s dedication to early literacy is part of a broader commitment by Southwest Prep to invest in students’ futures. Click to read the full article on our website to learn more about her vision and plans for this important new role.
Educator Spotlight
Spotlight on Christiana Gomez: Recognized by Region 20 for Her Dedication
We are thrilled to celebrate Christiana Gomez, Southwest Preparatory School’s McKinney-Vento, Foster, and Migrant Liaison, who was recently spotlighted by Region 20 for her outstanding work in supporting students and families experiencing homelessness.
Christiana’s dedication goes beyond the classroom—she actively builds partnerships with organizations like SA Thread, the San Antonio Food Bank, and UT Health’s TCHATT program to connect students with vital resources. Her passion for helping families overcome barriers to education is truly inspiring!
💬 “The excitement, joy, and appreciation on students’ faces when they receive the support they need is a powerful reminder of why this work is so meaningful.” – Christiana Gomez
Join us in congratulating Christiana for her well-deserved recognition!
Click the link below to read the Region 20 article.
Campus Highlights
Northwest
Please join us in congratulating our Royals Basketball Team on their incredible achievement—they are the District Champions! Their dedication, teamwork, and determination have led them to this well-deserved victory. A huge shoutout to our players and coaches for their hard work and commitment. You’ve made our school proud, and we can’t wait to see what’s next! Way to go, Royals!
Northwest Early College High School
Our Northwest Early College High School Class of 2025 is on track for an incredible achievement! By the end of the college semester, our 21 graduates will have collectively earned 341 college credit hours from Texas A&M University-San Antonio—all before receiving their high school diplomas. Their dedication and hard work have given them a strong head start on their college education, saving time and money while preparing for their future careers.
Southeast
Northeast
Northeast MEDA students recently put their skills to the test at 48 to Create, a fast-paced citywide competition designed to challenge creativity, teamwork, and time management. Events like these allow students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, mirroring industry expectations in media and design.
Beyond filmmaking, students gained valuable experience in collaboration, problem-solving, and communication—all essential for future careers in media, design, and technology. Their participation not only showcased their talents but also highlighted the strength of the MEDA program to the broader community.
We’re incredibly proud of their dedication and creativity! Parents and community members can support our students by attending events, providing mentorship, and helping create more opportunities for hands-on learning.
Seguin
Seguin Campus Launches New School App!
Exciting news for our Seguin families! Southwest Prep - Seguin has launched a brand-new school app to make staying connected easier than ever. Parents, students, and staff can now access important updates, school events, and direct communication with teachers—all in one place!
🔹 Stay informed with real-time notifications
🔹 Get quick access to school news & resources
🔹 Connect with teachers & admin easily
Download the app today and stay in the loop with everything happening at Seguin! More details on how to download and set up notifications are available on our website.
Save the Date: 2025 Graduation Ceremonies
Southwest Preparatory School is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025! Mark your calendars and join us as we honor the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our graduating students.
Graduation Ceremony Details:
Seguin Campus
Hillcrest Church – 1440 Eastwood Drive, Seguin, TX 78155
Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Northwest Early College High School
Southwest Preparatory School - Northwest Gym – 6535 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX
Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 1:00 PM
Northeast & Southeast Campuses
Southwest Preparatory School - Northwest Gym – 6535 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX
Saturday, May 31, 2025, at 3:00 PM
This milestone moment is one to be cherished! Families, friends, and our school community are invited to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates as they step into their bright futures.
See you school counselor for more details on tickets, attire, and ceremony guidelines.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Stay Connected
Stay Connected with Southwest Prep!
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Interested in learning more about what Southwest Prep can offer your child? Visit www.swprep.org for more information.





