Community

At University Prep we believe that a culturally rich and inclusive school community provides students with the best possible environment for a quality education. To us, diversity and inclusivity are not an addendum; they are embodied in all facets of our school. We are committed to educating a student population with a wide array of economic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, cultures, family dynamics, physical abilities and learning styles.  At University Prep, community means that we do not simply admit students, we admit families; our parent body partners with our faculty and staff to ensure the success of their students and the institution.  We are also committed to recruiting and sustaining a faculty and staff who reflect a broad definition of diversity and who exemplify and impart to our students the skills of collaboration, the willingness to engage in respectful dialogue, and the value of trust. 

Various programs and initiatives help to sustain an inclusive atmosphere at University Prep:

-The Office of Diversity and Community is a resource for students, parents, faculty and staff on issues of diversity, social justice, and global affairs.

-Global Education is integrated throughout the curriculum in the Middle and Upper schools.  In the Upper School, students have opportunities for cultural immersion through Global Link programs in China, Samoa, India and Colombia. Students in the Middle School work with students from around the globe through Web-based international collaborative projects.

-The Admission Office conducts active outreach to underrepresented communities and elementary schools throughout the area.  In 2009, we admitted students from 51 different schools.

-Our Language Training program helps students cope with learning differences such as dyslexia through individualized one-on-one instruction.

-Affinity groups at U Prep provide a safe setting for students to candidly discuss issues of race.  The aim is to help students define and articulate their own experience so that they are better equipped to engage in dialogue with the majority population of the school.  Umbrella (for students of color) and Allies (for students of European descent) hold separate weekly meetings; meetings inclusive of both groups are held every quarter, including an off-campus retreat.

-Multicultural Student Alliance (MSA) is open to the entire student body and includes students who attend the racial affinity group meetings.  MSA is included in the larger meetings with the racial affinity groups.

-Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) has been active at University Prep for many years and hosted the 2008 GLSEN Regional Conference. 

-One Book, One Community:  University Prep Reads.  This is a mission-centered exercise predicated on the belief that reading fosters lifelong learning and reading together fosters lifelong community.

-Our Middle School students engage in service learning projects that grow larger each year (6th grade – 6 hours; 7th grade – 9 hours; 8th grade –12 hours).

-In Upper School, students are required to participate in 15 hours per year of community service.

-Diversity and Community faculty/staff lunches are held twice monthly as an occasion for faculty/staff to have informal dialogue about issues related to social justice and equity.

-The Parent Education Committee arranges regular educational forums for the parent community.

-The All-School Barbecue kicks off the academic year and is an occasion for the entire school community to meet, greet and have fun before the work begins.

-The Bite of U Prep is a community potluck and celebration of diversity. Students returning to the states from our Global Link programs “bring back” the academic projects they worked on while overseas.  The event also includes community service booths, cultural performances, and plenty of great food.

-Coffee House is an evening of poetry, prose and music from students and faculty staff.