University Prep Academy - High School
Quick facts
Points of pride
Our beautiful midtown campus is designed like a college campus, consisting of five buildings. We have a family atmosphere. Students are encouraged to be themselves, empowered to be active citizens, and developed to be leaders in their communities.
Our students are also well-rounded, competing at a championship level in debate, athletics, and the arts.
Leadership
Mr. Kellam is concluding his 15th year in education; a career that consists of serving as a high school English teacher, assistant principal, curriculum director, and school director.
Management Company
A Member of the Grand Valley State University Community
Location & Contact
08:00 am - 03:20 pm
08:00 am - 01:20 pm (Wednesday)
Transportation
Yes, Transportation is Provided
City bus cards are provided for students who use the city transportation system.
Commute Time
Public Transportation
To see available transit times enter your location below.
Enrollment
| Enrollment Details | |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 560 |
| Accepting New Students? |
Yes - 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th |
| Application Required | Yes |
| Application Priorities | N/A |
| Enrollment Instructions | Apply online at www.uprepschools.com. |
Academics & Activities
Curriculum
We implement a rigorous, culturally responsive, college prep curriculum. Our student-centered classrooms push students to think critically, strategically analyze complex texts, engage in profound discussion, and create audacious solutions for creating a more just world. Students master concepts and develop skills that enable them to leave high school ready for success in college and career. Our course offerings have a project-based approach. They include: career development, honors, AP, and duel enrollment.
Support Programs
Top Activities
The UPA debate team has a long, rich tradition of winning city championships and competing for national championships. Our volleyball team has a streak of eight consecutive district championships, and our boys and girls basketball teams have won conference and district championships in recent seasons.
UPA has a highly competitive culture. We play with Panther Pride! This means working hard in the classroom, displaying sportsmanship, and giving 100% on the playing fields.
| Top Activities |
|---|
| Sports |
| Sports |
| Dance |
| Music |
| Chorus/Vocal |
| Band/Orchestra |
| Arts |
| Leadership and Mentoring |
| Student Government |
| Debate and Speech |
| Newspaper/Journalism |
| Student Clubs |
| STEM/Robotics |
| Academic Games/Competition |
| Spoken word/Poetry |
Academic Offerings
Our teachers received job-embedded coaching and professional development to be highly skilled in standards-based planning and instruction. All of our classes are designed to be rigorous and prepare students for success in college and career.
| Academic Offerings |
|---|
| Math interventionist |
| Reading interventionist |
| Homework help |
| Tutoring |
| Honors classes |
| Honors society |
| Dual Enrollment |
| Arts |
| Foreign Languages |
| Computer lab |
| Field Trips |
| Virtual/online classes |
| Career/Industry Certifications |
| GED and/or Diploma Program |
| AP Classes |
Culture
Is there a parent advisory council?
YesOur parent council is in its developmental stages. However, parents are represented on our school improvement team and attend monthly Title I parent meetings. They have a voice in school decisions and function as partners in the work.
Partnerships
School Safety Culture
University Prep offers a school culture as vibrant as its campus! Our culture’s biggest strengths are our relationships! We proactively use restorative practices to build, develop, and manage relationships at all levels. Each of our students has at least one meaningful relationship with a staff member and can trust that staff member to advocate for any of their needs. Our students support each other’s academic quests, as well as their extra-curricular interests, by working together on assignments or showing up to their friend’s after-school activity.
We believe that our students should have enough autonomy to make choices. We also believe our students should be prepared to work through the repercussions of the choices, good or bad. We believe in repairing any harm that has been done to our community through acts of service. We believe that our students are more than their mistakes.
As you enter each of our buildings and look up, you will see a banner that reads “You matter just as you are." We are a school that welcomes all students and promises to partner with their families to produce a student that is not only prepared to take on, but prepared to succeed in the 21st century, all while staying true to exactly who they are.
