Mr. White at the New York Stock Exchange

Urban Prep Senior Dayshawn White recently traveled to New York City where he and teammates were named winners of the National Shareholders Report Competition. Mr. White joined the competition through his involvement with the University of Chicago's Youth About Business Program where he learned the ins and outs of the stock market, banking, law and finance. During his visit to New York, Mr. White met Sony CEO Howard Stringer and Entertainment mogul Jay-Z. The Highlight of the trip came when Mr. White rang the opening bell on Wall Street.

Mr. Degraffenreid delivering winning speech.

Urban Prep Junior Billy Degraffenreid recently beat-out more than 150 challengers to win the Mikva Challenge Soapbox Speech Competition.  The victory marked the second time in as many years that an Urban Prep student earned a first-place finish, with current senior Cedric Abdul-Hakeem winning last year.  The competition provides high school students across the city with an opportunity to strengthen public speaking skills, enhance their understanding of crucial civic issues, and become active participants in the political process. 

UP Freshman Earns Perfect Score on National Standardized Test

Mr. Jefferies after being named student of the week.

James Jefferies, a  Freshman at Urban Prep's South Shore Campus, recently achieved a perfect score on the Reading section of the Explore standardized test.  The Explore is first in a series of standardized tests that  Urban Prep students take during their high school years.  These tests measure students' academic development and culminate with the ACT, which factors heavily in the college admissions process.  Mr. Jefferies is the first Urban Prep student to record a perfect score on the Explore.

UP Students with Congressman Danny Davis at Community Service Event

Urban Prep's East Garfield Park Campus has partnered with Volunteers of America, the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bulls to organize volunteer events in inner-city Chicago.  Through this partnership, students will work to improve the qualityof life for families and seniors in communities in which our schools are located.  Current activities are designed to assist veterans during the holiday season, and provide toys for needy children on Christmas.  The work that students undertake as part of this initiative is an example of our students living the Urban Prep Creed which reads "We have a responsibility to our families, community and world."

Mr. Polk pictured with his Howard University Bowling teammates.

 [As an Urban Prep graduate] I have been able to complete my transition [to Howard University] faster than other students and make my college experience much more enriching...Each morning, I wake up two hours early to get ready for my day. Sometimes, I have sleepless nights of studying for exams, tests, and quizzes...Other nights I stay up just to better understand the information being covered in my courses...Coming to college has been one of the best decisions I have ever made...I still remember how I used to say the Urban Prep Creed every morning. Being an Urban Prep student will never be forgotten...It is like everything that goes on in college reminds me of Urban Prep. Even my new friends remind me of how much Urban Prep has helped me. I have bonded with new friends, who keep me focused on my goal, to become a successful Aeronautical Engineer. I also have my two [Urban Prep] brothers Gerald Jackson and Marquinn Gibson. They are my brothers because the bond we made while attending Urban Prep has grown to become strong and unbreakable. We help each other with everything.  We believe in each other and we hold each other accountable to do the right things in our lives...

Dontaye Polk
Urban Prep Class of 2010

Howard University Class of 2014