About UP Excellence Academy

At UP Excellence Academy, our approach to education is centered around collaboration, experiential learning, social interaction, and personalization, all designed to optimize the success of every scholar.

We firmly believe that the most effective way to learn is by doing.

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Up Excellence Crest

Our Vision

At UP Excellence Academy, we envision a scholar's journey that transcends conventional education. Within our school community, scholars uncover their strengths, embrace their passions, and embark on an individualized path to become leaders who drive positive change in their communities and the world. We emphasize the importance of local learning, fostered through rigorous academics and community partnerships, as the bedrock for global leadership.

Through hands-on, experiential learning, UP Excellence scholars actively explore and engage across all academic disciplines. They emerge from our program equipped with a personalized graduation plan that aligns seamlessly with their unique pathway, setting the stage for success in secondary and post-secondary education.

Our Mission

UP Excellence Academy is dedicated to nurturing scholars for success in both their academic journey and life endeavors. We achieve this by delivering an education steeped in an entrepreneurial mindset, empowering each scholar to discern and embark upon their distinct pathway to achievement.

Our Founder

Tamika Griffin's journey began right in the heart of Fifth Ward, the very community that now houses UP Excellence Academy. Her deep-seated connection to this community has made her a prominent and engaged member, wearing various hats as an educator, school leader, and accomplished business professional.

With an impressive 17-year track record in K-12 education, Tamika Griffin has left an indelible mark across several school districts in the state of Texas. Her extensive career portfolio spans roles ranging from a dedicated teacher, instructional specialist, and district trainer to a district curriculum writer and school leader. Her expertise has been instrumental in the transformation of underperforming schools across Texas, where she leveraged her profound understanding of data analysis, innovative teaching methods, and the assembly of high-achieving teams.

Tamika Griffin's influence extends beyond state boundaries as she has also made a significant impact on education practices throughout the United States. Her consulting work on pedagogical best practices has consistently yielded higher student achievement and improved educator retention rates.

In addition to her accomplishments in education, Tamika Griffin is a recognized entrepreneur who excels in process improvement. She firmly believes that schools should serve as environments where scholars not only acquire knowledge but also gain real-world experiences that shape their understanding of the world. This transformative learning experience, in her view, comes to fruition through intentional learning guided by meticulous design.

Tamika Griffin's legacy in education and her unwavering dedication to empowering scholars to explore and understand the world make her an invaluable asset to the educational landscape.

UP Excellence Board of Directors

  • Kyra Hardwick, MBA

    Board Chair
    Managing Consultant, The Kyra Company, LLC

  • Tamika Bartley, M.Ed.

    Board Secretary
    Curriculum Coordinator, Sheldon ISD

  • Shawn Spearman

    Vice Chair
    Global Manager, People Initiatives and Projects

  • Iralee Acosta, M.Ed

    Board Member
    Professional Development Coordinator, Houston ISD

  • H. Nicole Beasley

    Treasurer
    CEO, Emergent Ed Childcare Consulting

  • Christine Aboud

    Board Member
    CEO, St. Michael’s Learning Academy

Contact us.


330 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E, Houston, Texas 77060

info@upexcellenceacademy.org
(832) 672-6671