Education is a priority for our family, so we looked at a lot of Seattle area high schools. We chose UPrep for Hana ’24 and Jack, 10th grade, because it’s the best of both worlds. We were thrilled to find a place where academic rigor, excellence, students’ well-being, and happiness are all priorities.

UPrep is also a strong fit for both our kids, who are different from each other. Hana is interested in science, reading, and writing. She attended The School of The New York Times, where she learned about scientific writing. She’s also into the arts―she has been a professional model and actress since third grade. The school really addressed her strengths, and she excelled at UPrep.

Jack, on the other hand, is really into soccer. He was looking for a school that celebrates their soccer program, and that is UPrep! He also likes math. Jack will tell you that this is the first school where he has been challenged academically, and he’s delighted to be academically engaged, too.

UPrep has been a great learning and social environment for my kids. Both kids appreciate the individual attention they receive from teachers, and the tight-knit community. The school is big enough to meet students with diverse interests, and small enough that you can walk through the hallways and know everyone’s name.

Hana loved her experiences in the Fine Arts Department. She participated in the theatre and musical productions, as well as the student-produced works during intensives. Hana was also on the leadership board for the first year of the Student Organized Consent Conference in Seattle (SOCCS). She notes that the school supported this board in so many ways, from helping them find funding for the conference to finding speakers. She even gave a speech to the grant officers of the Ford Foundation during the application process, and the foundation ultimately awarded a grant to SOCCS.

I feel like UPrep trusts and empowers their students, and in turn, their students are engaged leaders.

I am also impressed with how welcoming Jack’s soccer teammates were to him last year, a new student, and the only 9th grader on the varsity team. His teammates are inclusive and kind. Coach Whitney does a fabulous job of building community on the team.

I asked my kids how they’d describe their UPrep experience to people. Hana describes UPrep as the most well-rounded academic experience she’s had during her K–12 years. She’s gained self-confidence, and knows she can step into a new environment, make friends, make connections with her teachers, and succeed academically while also taking part in her hobbies. As she leaves for Northwestern University this fall, she feels poised and ready to navigate whatever is ahead. I feel like Hana is 120 percent ready, both academically and emotionally, for college.

Jack said that UPrep has changed his work ethic. He wants to be on the same level of his classmates academically, and he strives to do well in his classes. The school was so welcoming to Jack and his classmates who entered UPrep last year in 9th grade. For example, the incoming 9th graders attended a Middle School dance during the spring of 8th grade, and a group of 8th graders hosted a social for 30 minutes before the dance began for these students. This friendly environment made a huge difference to Jack during his first year at UPrep.

I feel like high school is the beginning of students’ educational experience that extends through college and post-graduate education. That’s why our family prioritizes our children’s well-being within an educational experience, too. UPrep is a school that places students’ well-being and happiness on par with challenging academics. That’s why I’m so glad we chose UPrep for high school for Hana and Jack.

Read more articles in our Inside Independent Schools series!