Upper School
Entering the Upper School marks a transition to quite a different experience from that of the Middle School years. We introduce ninth graders to a challenging college preparatory curriculum by laying a foundation of academic skills that will serve them well throughout their high school years and beyond. They also explore community service opportunities, cementing the volunteer relationships that they established in the Middle School. They learn to work as leaders in student government, Honor Board, and even trustee-level committees. Some test the competitive waters of varsity athletics.
As our students progress through Upper School, their curricular opportunities increase in variety and deepen in complexity. But so do our expectations of personal responsibility. We exhort students to take charge of their education, to own their choices, and to make wise decisions. Our task is to provide them with the vocabulary and framework to do so.
University Prep graduates are ready for the college adventure, armed with knowledge, skills, confidence, and kindness.
Social Life
Age-appropriate social activities are scheduled throughout
the school year. Students often select their own events, which include such
activities as attending athletic events, bowling and dances. These school
activities occur either on or off campus and are chaperoned by faculty and
parent volunteers. Many of our dances are held in conjunction with nearby
independent schools. In addition, students may invite friends from other
schools to attend University Prep dances.
American Field Service (AFS)
University Prep is an active participant in the AFS international student
exchange program. The school hosts two international students each year and may
send students to year- and semester-long programs in several of the forty AFS
countries.
Amnesty
International
Amnesty U Prep is made up of students and faculty who are interested in
lobbying for human rights. The group receives notices about human rights
violations from Amnesty International and then writes letters urging the
release of political prisoners and an end to human rights violations. Amnesty U
Prep meets every Tuesday during
Anime Club
Students
meet weekly during lunch to view and discuss Japanese animation and manga (comic-book style stories), usually in the
original Japanese. Outside activities
have included additional viewing parties and a trip to a local annual anime convention.
Arts for a Cause
Arts for a Cause was created to promote interest in art
while contributing to the community. During the year, we will put together
auction baskets of our arts and crafts. We will make and sell holiday cards with
the profits going to Children’s Hospital. The money from other projects such as
candle making, stenciling, jewelry, and print carving will be donated to nonprofit
organizations. The goal is for participants to have fun and expand their boundaries
beyond U Prep through art.
Artists’ Exchange
This club is a monthly open studio and art-postcard trading
session. Participants create an art
postcard and then exchange it for another original work of art, or keep it.
Associated Student Body (ASB)
The US Associated Student Body provides a forum for student voices to be heard
formally on campus issues. ASB promotes positive communication among students,
faculty, and the administration. Through class meetings and activity planning,
ASB develops and enhances students’ leadership skills.
Chess Club
Chess club is an after-school program that allows students to socialize,
sharpen their chess techniques, discuss strategy, and participate in chess
matches against other schools in the Seattle area.
Club X
Club X is a place where students can bring their concerns
about University Prep and make plans to do something about them. Students
discuss things that they wish worked differently at school and then bring in
relevant adults to start a community dialogue. Club X meets every Tuesday at
lunch.
Creative Arts Society
Creative Arts Society was formed to help acquaint students with the arts scene
in and around
Friday Night Ski Club
Weather permitting, student members from all grades go to
Gay/Straight
The University Prep Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) is an association of
individuals who meet to discuss matters pertaining to sexual diversity. All
members of the University Prep community are welcome to attend any GSA meeting.
Our mission is to ensure a dignified and nurturing educational environment and
experience of equality for all persons without regard to background.
Global Awareness
Group
GAG is a student-run forum dedicated to the expansion of
global awareness among the student body. We instigate and encourage
responsive action to current international conflicts deserving foreign
humanitarian support and media coverage.
Harassment Prevention Education Committee (HPEC)
HPEC educates the school community about harassment in general and sexual
harassment in particular. Members provide information, support, and a forum for
discussion. Members of HPEC are required to attend training sessions and
meetings and to be available to help students who have been subjected to
harassment.
Key Club
University Prep’s Key Club is part of the largest high school community
service organization in the world. Recent projects include a coffee sale in
association with Pura Vida Coffee to raise funds to help rebuild a school and
library in
Language Honor Societies
The Language Honor Societies honor students for academic achievement in French,
Japanese, and Spanish. While each society has different national eligibility
requirements, their activities are similar, including cultural activities,
language competitions, and peer tutoring. Many of these activities are open to
all students, regardless of membership status.
Language Lunch Tables
Students meet once a week for lunch and conversation in French,
Spanish, Japanese and Chinese.
Mock Trial Club
Mock Trial is a program designed to provide students with an
operational understanding of the law, legal issues, and the judicial process by
preparing for and participating in a trial. Participants develop useful
questioning, critical thinking, and oral advocacy skills and compete against
other schools around the area via under the auspices of a YMCA program.
Multicultural Student
MSA is committed to bringing together
members of our community to talk about issues of multiculturalism on campus.
National
Honor Society
The Evergreen Chapter of the National Honor Society recognizes students who
exhibit the principles of leadership, scholarship, character and service.
Members organize and run community service activities including blood drives, a
Thanksgiving pie bake for the Union Gospel Mission, clothing drives for a
U-district young adult shelter and after-school tutoring at BF Day elementary
school in
Opera Club
Students in Opera Club learn about operas by discussing
plots, history and productions, and by listening to the music during twice
monthly meetings. The club attends Seattle Opera productions four or five times
a year. Students who have no experience with opera are just as welcome as those
who have already developed an interest.
Outdoors Club
The goal of the Outdoors Club is to inspire an appreciation
of nature via local wilderness experiences and to promote safe use and
responsible stewardship of the environment. The club is a year-round inclusive
community that celebrates nature’s diversity, including people of all ages,
backgrounds, and interests.
Projectile Club
Members of this club meet every Wednesday to build rockets, eventually launching them from Sixty Acres Park in
RAK was founded in 2006 by a group of students who wanted to
spread joy and compassion throughout the U Prep community. It promotes kindness
in our everyday lives, whether it be holding the door for a classmate or just
saying hi to someone you have never met. Some of the ways the club encourages
RAK participation is through the National Random Acts of Kindness Week and
special announcements at assembly.
Step Club
The goals of Step Club are to: 1) foster a sense of
community and teamwork among all four grades in the Upper School, as well as
faculty; 2) expose Step Club members to a new way of moving; 3) learn new steps
and cheers to build Puma spirit; and 4) to have lots and lots of fun! Step Club
meets weekly.
Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors host prospective students by educating
them about classes and after school activities; give guided tours; and share
positive experiences and knowledge about University Prep. Participants must
attend training sessions and be available on visit days from October to
February.
Tailgate Club
Tailgate is a club devoted to building Puma spirit on and
off the field. On home game days, members gather to grill and share food and go
on to cheer their classmates.
Women in Science
In monthly meetings, this club brings together Upper School girls with a desire
to learn more about science opportunities and to experience science in settings
away from school. The club brings in speakers, makes trips to lectures, labs,
and museums, and holds discussions.