The House System at Yellowstone Schools is a proven way to create a positive climate and culture for students and staff in addition to building character, relationships, and school spirit.
High School House System
9-12th Grade House System
The House System at Yellowstone uses the Ron Clark Academy system. It is a dynamic, exciting way to create a powerful and positive school climate. Students are celebrated for their efforts through a process that builds character, empowers academic excellence, fosters school spirit, enhances relationships, and promotes a culture of belonging for all.
How it Works
Students are placed randomly in one of four Houses: Altruismo, Amistad, Isibindi, or Rêveur for middle school students, and Protos, Onraka, Sollevare, and Nukumori for high school students. Students remain in their respective houses throughout their time at Yellowstone. Upon graduating to high school, middle schoolers will automatically enter their sister house (e.g., Altruismo to Protos).
Throughout the year, students will engage in friendly competition and win points for their house based on academic success, behavior, school pride, and more. The House winner is determined at the end of the year. Students will also participate and lead activities based on their House’s values.
Protos
House of Success
Students in Protos strive for excellence and inspire others through achievement, perseverance, and leadership.
Protos is an ancient House of wisdom whose name reflects the Greek root word meaning “first”—the House whose destiny is defined by striving for excellence. Protos knows that wisdom and knowledge will be the strength guiding them toward academic success. They pursue wisdom in everything that they do. This is why the scroll is on top of a shield in the center of the House crest: wisdom coupled with patience is a catalyst through which those who have mastered it have attained scholarship. The ancient Greek laurel represents peace and patience. It reminds the members of the House that they must seek to become the types of scholars who earned a crown through peaceful greatness. The Corinthian soldier, whose helmet is at the top of the crest, was an ancient warrior who was both a citizen and a soldier. The House of Protos knows that it defends its House best by being the most upstanding citizens of its school and community. —Read more at RCA.com
Onraka
House of Unity
Students in Onraka work collaboratively to strengthen relationships and promote teamwork throughout the school.
Onraka traces its origins to the land beyond the Himalayan mountains, where a group of powerful Indians was given the name because of its Tamil meaning: the House of Unity. This group of very special individuals is known for the way that they stick together through any and all challenges. They always behave as a team—like a family—that knows that any obstacle in front of them will not be able to hold them back if they deal with it together. If they all work together to lift each other up, then the whole team will be able to rise to new heights as one. The House does not, however, believe that being unified means being the same as everyone around them. Instead, the history of their heritage land, India, reminds them that unity in diversity is the true strength of the House. Each member is unique, and these differences are appreciated and even celebrated. They choose unity over everything, even with differences put aside. The Bengal tiger is the house's symbolic animal, representing quiet and consistent strength. It exercises great restraint in using its power until the time is right. Much like the tiger, Onraka earns its stripes by demonstrating self-control in everything it does. This is balanced by the emerald dove, who reminds them that peace is a great strength as well —Read more at RCA.com.
Sollevare
House of Uplifting
Students in Sollevare encourage and motivate others while helping build a positive school community.
Sollevare is the House originating in Italy. It was formed by a group that understood that the true strength of undefeated warriors lies in always getting back up, no matter how many times they are knocked down. The members of the House of Sollevare are known for their uplifting nature—always rising above and helping others do the same. This is where their name comes from in Latin, meaning 'to lift up'. New members have a spark of creativity—even if it is only a dim spark at first, they will grow into a great fire of creativity as they continue on! This is because it takes great creativity to see the ability to rise above in any circumstance; being able to lift others up means seeing past the current problem and thinking ahead about the next step. All of these things together are why the House of Sollevare takes inspiration from the Phoenix as its symbolic animal. The Phoenix is a powerful creature that can rise from the fire and ashes, reborn as an even greater being after learning from its mistakes or sacrifices. Full of ancient power and wisdom, the Phoenix reminds the members of the House not only that it is their duty to rise up from the ashes, but also their duty to help others do the same. Because when we uplift everyone around us, we uplift and create a better world for us all. —Read more at RCA.com
Nukumori
House of Kindness
Students in Nukumori lead with compassion, empathy, and respect for others.
Nukumori is a House originating in Japan. A group of individuals who understand that kindness is the true strength that will build their character, the members of the House of Nukumori are known for the friendship that they extend to everyone around them. They treat others with respect, and in doing so, they earn the respect of all others. Incoming members have a heart of kindness—even if they do not see it in themselves at first! That is because they learn that the great level of kindness that they must extend to all others grows over time to become a fuller and more beautiful character trait. This is why they take great inspiration from the cherry blossom: it reminds members of the House that kindness must be nurtured and cared for like a delicate flower, until it blossoms into the most beautiful flower in the entire garden. But kindness does not necessarily mean meekness or timidity. Kindness means stepping in to defend others, taking care of them, and seeking what is best for them as well as for ourselves. This is why the dragon is Nukumori’s symbolic animal. Filled with ancient power and wisdom, it is fierce when the time calls. —Read more at RCA.com