University Preparatory Schools (University Prep) are tuition-free public charter schools and are part of Denver Public Schools. We focus on college the second a child walks through our doors. With elements of college culture incorporated into each classroom and college campus visits each year, each U Prep scholar is on the path to a four year college degree.
University Prep’s first campus, University Prep-Arapahoe St, currently serves 360 scholars in grades K-5. Our second campus, University Prep-Steele St opened in August of 2016 and serves 220 scholars in grades K-5. There is a focus on consistency and structure in all classrooms so teachers are 100% focused on teaching and scholars are 100% focused on learning.
University Prep holds high academic expectations for every child. All U Prep scholars take assessments or “show what you knows” every 8-9 weeks to monitor their academic progress. Teachers provide intense academic supports and interventions for scholars who need it. U Prep also incorporates celebration and joy to invest scholars in learning.
Once a family enrolls at U Prep, they participate in multiple parent orientations, a home visit, school registration, mandatory parent-teacher conferences, and parent workshops. But that’s only the beginning. Our families engage in frequent communication with their teachers to form lasting partnerships that are crucial to each scholar’s success.
All scholars and adults in our buildings learn and live by our PREP values of Professionalism, Responsibility, Enthusiasm, and Perseverance. More than rhetoric, our values are the foundation of what we do at U Prep and something we work hard to teach our scholars alongside their daily lessons.
Achievement of our scholars comes first.
Deliver on our college going promise to our families
Always be a team player.
Live the University Prep values
Treat every scholar as if they were your own child.
University Prep has a high bar of rigor for EVERY scholar.
We have been a part of the University Prep family from the beginning. Over the past school years, I’ve been so proud to see my child grow, learn, and get the support that I feel EVERY child should receive.
The #1 school I wanted to go to is Howard, an HBCU, and that is where I’m headed! I plan to go to school to be a Neonatal Nurse. The U Prep values enthusiasm and perseverance have stuck with me the most. You have to be enthusiastic and excited to go to school and learn new things, and persevere to get through hard classes. U Prep is such a good school – it really set me up for the better. If I went to another elementary school I don’t think I’d be where I am now.
After High School graduation I plan on attending an HBCU like Xavier University of Louisiana. I want to major in biochemistry to pursue a career in Forensic Toxicology. U Prep is a place where you can be yourself and connect with others that may or may not come from similar backgrounds. At the end of the day, whether you see it or not, you are in a welcoming environment and a place that wants you to succeed.
My plans after high school include going to Regis University, and going into their nursing program. From there I hope to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) and someday become a travel nurse. U Prep taught me about the importance of education, and that everyone can make a difference in this world. I truly believe that everything I do has a purpose, and U Prep taught me that I can do anything.
After high school I’ll be attending CU Denver, pursuing a degree in business and entrepreneurship with plans on later becoming a successful business owner…. U Prep taught me skills that stuck with me throughout my years of schooling which helped me get where I am headed today. I’ll never forget winning the PREP stick for the first time and my grandma being there to celebrate my achievement with me.
I plan to go to Metro State University of Denver. While I’m there, I plan to go through the cadet program to become a firefighter. I am also considering a minor in Business Management to explore a possible career route with real estate in the future. The PREP values stick with me every day: professionalism (now pride), responsibility, enthusiasm, and perseverance.