Upper School

My favorite part of my UPrep experience has been the community that has formed around me through my time here. I have been here since sixth grade and as a rising senior I have so much gratitude for the faculty, staff, and peer relationships that I have built." –Upper School student

Through our community-building advisory program, student-led clubs, competitive athletics program, affinity groups, and more, there are limitless opportunities for our Upper School students to explore their passions outside of the classroom and form connections with their peers. UPrep supports the full spectrum of personal growth and encourages students to explore everything in order to discover one thing: they can achieve anything!

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Advisory

My advisor was always checking in on me and was so supportive; she made me feel like a good human every day." –UPrep alum

UPrep's advisory program offers a school-oriented, one-on-one relationship between a staff or faculty member and each student for the purposes of communication, community-building and guidance. Advisors serve as advocates, representing each advisee’s interests in student-teacher, student-administrator, and student-student interactions. The advisor also serves as the primary link between the school and parents.

Entering the Upper School at UPrep marks a transition for students who are continuing from UPrep’s Middle School as well as students who are new to the UPrep community. Important goals for the first few weeks of 9^th grade include setting norms for “how we do things” and creating opportunities to build connections and community within the grade. A number of structures are in place to support these goals.

Throughout the first three weeks of school, many community time blocks for the ninth grade are spent in advisory and class meetings. This strengthens advisory connections, provides a means to coach students on what behaviors are expected of them (both in and outside of class) as Upper School students, and allows for students to ask questions and get help navigating the opportunities and challenges which present themselves during the first few weeks as a high school student.

Clubs

UPrep taught me so much about who I am as a person. When I questioned my identity, I was never once worried. Instead, I was curious, and UPrep provided the spaces to feed that curiosity. During high school, I was co-leader of the Queer Student Union and I was extremely open about my identity, something that I could only have done with support from my teachers and friends.” –2023 UPrep Graduate

At UPrep, with more than 20 clubs offered at any given time, there are limitless opportunities for students to explore their passions outside the classroom and form connections with their peers.

UPrep's Upper School students can participate in a wide variety of clubs (usually 30 to 40) that vary from year-to-year based on student interest. Long-standing clubs include Mock Trial, Students of Service, Opera Club, Debate Club, and the Creative Arts Society. New clubs can be proposed by a student at any time, and clubs reflect a range of interests, from social justice, international relations and public speaking to hiking, pop culture, and robotics. All clubs have a faculty advisor and meet during Community Time.

Learn about UPrep's Mock Trial, Debate, and Model UN Programs

Student Leadership

Leadership is knowing what your team needs and being there to help them. This could be in big or small ways, but ultimately, it's knowing what and how things need to be done." –Upper School student

At UPrep, we see, support, and strengthen the leadership potential in each student. Leadership is not about a title. Our Pumas are offered a range of opportunities to find their voice, their passions, and their purpose during a shared journey of joyful self-discovery.

In the Upper School, student leadership takes many forms. Our faculty encourage each student to find a way to use their voice to guide their peers.

Students may be LEAD facilitators or club leaders, run for office in our Associated Student Body, participate in the Community Ethics and Culture Council, Academic Council, or Mental Health Advisory Board.

The UPrep Summer Leadership Conference is a fantastic opportunity for our students to focus on the areas they wish to contribute to, be it student life, academics, athletics, or the arts

Community Service

UPrep believes service to the community is an integral part of our commitment to developing socially responsible, global citizens. We want students to recognize that they have the ability to make a difference. By the time they graduate, our Upper School students contribute 80+ hours of direct community service to causes they care about. This graduation requirement inspires our students to prioritize sharing their gifts to help shape the healthy, just, and inclusive world they want to see.

Examples of on Campus opportunities include:

Student Ambassador for the Admission and Enrollment Office
Math Helpers
Students of Service Club

Examples of Off-Campus opportunities include:

Park/trail cleanup
Shelter or foodbank
Animal shelter
Senior/assisted living facility
Tiny house construction