Rabbi Avraham and Rachel Yaghobian founded Sephardic Gan/Torat Emet in 2004 with 12 students and 5 staff members. At that time the school rented space at the ERJCC Bertha Alyce Center. Yeshiva Torat Emet was founded with the goal of instilling Torah values and positive character traits within its students. The special team of administrators and experienced teachers committed to provide excellent Judaic, secular, and Hebrew language instruction, and to help each child reach his/ her potential academically, socially, and spiritually.

​

After its founding, the school grew quickly, as it became known as a warm and nurturing environment that successfully blends Judaic and secular studies. As Southwest Houston became known as a vibrant, flourishing, affordable neighborhood with a quality school, more families began to move in. By 2007, the school had grown to 54 students and moved to a 13,000 square foot space at 9730 Hillcroft. From the time of the school's founding Mrs. Yaghobian served as principal until 2008, when Rabbi Yehoshua Wender was hired to be principal.

​

By 2011, the school had 171 students. We hired Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield as Head of School and earned accreditation from the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools (TAAPS). In 2012, the school’s population reached 200 students, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston accepted the school as a beneficiary institution. 2013 saw the first graduating class of eighth graders, and the school grew to 19 classes.

​

In the fall of 2014, YTE moved into a new 43,000 sq. ft. building in the heart of the Fondren Southwest neighborhood, and we have surpassed 460 students. The growth of the Jewish population here has revitalized our neighborhood. We currently have 13 preschool and 17 elementary and upper school classes.