Student Programs

Every year, UPrep brings six students to a national conference, the NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC). According to NAIS, SDLC is "a three-day, multiracial, multicultural national student conference that focuses on self-reflecting, forming allies, and building community". We also bring about eight students annually to a regional conference, the NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools) Student Diversity Leadership Retreat. As opportunities arise, we bring students to additional conferences and workshops.

LEAD at UPrep is a mandatory, student-led and designed program where students gather in assigned groups for peer-facilitated conversations about current social issues. LEAD provides our students with a safe and productive space to practice their skills in dialogue, develop empathy, and learn how to interact with people who have different perspectives and opinions. 

The LEAD program encourages students to practice navigating discomfort by speaking up, listening to others, and sitting with disagreement. It also empowers student leaders to plan and facilitate discussions with their peers.

Recent LEAD discussion topics included:

• Standardized Testing
• Cancel Culture
• Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Appreciation
• Morality, Cheating, and ChatGPT

Upper School students engage in LEAD conversations approximately five times per year and Middle School students participate twice per semester.

There are student-led clubs that fall under the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging umbrella, including:

• Gender and Sexuality Alliance
• Students of Service