University Preparatory Schools

University Prep is a network of tuition-free, public charter elementary schools, currently serving more than 600 children in grades K – 5 across two campuses in NE Denver. Since opening in 2011, our schools have existed for the sole purpose of proving that demography is not destiny – ensuring all children are on a path to a genuine life of opportunity. 

Testimonials

"When you speak about U Prep, you speak about family." - University Prep mom

 "My experience with the school has been great. University Prep scholars are ready to compete with any other student at any other school and I think that they are more prepared compared to other schools academically and behaviorally... as a mother I have complete confidence in University Prep." - University Prep mom

 "I love U Prep because they take all the time and patience needed to climb the mountain to college and many of us are reaching the top...we came in every day ready for success. We set our minds on our goal and achieved it...I think U Prep isn't just a school, we are a family!" - U Prep scholar

“We have been a part of the U 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.” – U Prep mom

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More About U Prep:

The two existing U Prep campuses primarily serve nine neighborhoods across the larger community of NE Denver (Five Points, Curtis Park, Whittier, Elyria, Swansea, Globeville, Skyland, Clayton, and North Park Hill). A 3rd, and new U Prep campus, is slated to open in the fall of 2024 in the core Commerce City community, launching with PreK and growing into a PreK – 5th grade school. 

U Prep’s founding scholars, who started in 1st grade in 2011, are now in their first-year of post-secondary education in the fall of 2023. With 81% on track for post-secondary success that figure represents 2.5X their peer group. There are over 700 U Prep alumni currently enrolled in middle, high school and post-secondary programming. 

Overall, the current children being served are represented by the following demographics:

• 87% Free & Reduced Lunch
• 25% English Language Learners
• 12% Students with IEPs (Special Education)
• 94% Students of Color 

U Prep’s approach to education is centered on three core pillars: 

• ACADEMICS: Academic excellence for every child sits at the center of u Prep’s elementary school work. U Prep offers all scholars challenging, college-prep content along with the support and encouragement necessary to master it. We believe every child will achieve greatness when they are equally challenged, supported and loved.  
• CHARACTER: A focused on growing good students and good people is at the heart of U Prep’s mission. U Prep knows that to succeed in life, scholars must have a strong and confident character. U Prep’s schools go beyond a foundation of academic skills and knowledge with the development of its PREP values – Pride, Responsibility, Enthusiasm and Perseverance.  
• EXPOSURE: You can only dream as far as you can see – we make sure all of our students see what's truly possible.  All children deserve the opportunity to see the opportunities that live outside of their classrooms. Within U Prep’s K – 5 experience, scholars get to see a range of colleges and careers that will become their reality.