Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men
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Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men-Englewood Campus, or "Urban Prep" for short, is a secondary charter school located within the Englewood community area of Chicago, Illinois. Urban Prep is the first school created under Urban Prep Charter Academies, and is also Chicago's first (and currently only) charter school for boys, catering chiefly to the improvement of Englewood's young African-American male population.
| CEO | Tim King |
| School Type | Charter single-sex (male) |
| Religious affiliation | None |
| Location | 6201 South Stewart Avenue Chicago, Illinois |
| Campus surroundings | Urban |
| Mascot | Lions |
| Athletic conference | Chicago Public League |
| School colors | Red and gold |
Contents |
[edit] History and Purpose
Urban Prep Charter Academies was founded as a non-profit organization in 2002 by its current CEO Ben Blakely. According to the school's brochure [1]:
"The mission of Urban Prep is to provide a comprehensive, high-quality college-preparatory education to young men that results in graduates succeeding in college. The Urban Prep motto is "We Believe." We believe in our mission and the potential, talent, and future of urban young men. Our motto is a constant reminder that Urban Prep students will not fall into the trap of stereotypes and low expectations. Instead, Urban Prep students believe in their potential and believe in their ability to exceed that potential. Urban Prep teachers, administrators, staff and Board also believe in these young men and believe in our important and long lasting role in their lives. At Urban Prep, We Believe."
Urban Prep Charter Academies opened its first school, Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men-Englewood Campus, in August 2006.
[edit] Structure
[edit] The Arcs
Urban Prep bases its educational approach on the following curricular and extracurricular "arcs":
The Academic Arc: a focus on reading, writing, and public speaking skills.
The Service Arc: a focus on deepening the students' sense of responsibility and idenfitication of community needs by completing volunteer programs throughout the area.
The Activity Arc: a focus on increasing students' confidence, interpersonal skills, and leadership qualities by participating in at least two school-sponsored activities per year (sports, clubs, etc.).
The Professional Arc: a focus on providing students with valuable experience in a professional setting by requiring them to spend one day a week within such a setting. This serves to reinforce character and leadership development in students, as well as providing for them a means of work experience.
The following information is taken directly from the aforementioned brochure:
[edit] Technology
Each student has access to a laptop computer during the school-year. Use of these computers will be an integral part of student's fulfillment of the Urban Prep Arc requirements.
[edit] Prides
Every student is part of a Pride: a small group of students led by a teacher that will meet daily to provide peer mentoring and support.
[edit] Uniforms and Discipline
Urban Prep students are required to wear uniforms and adhere to a clearly communicated discipline program based on community and mutual respect.
[edit] Family and Community Involvement
Urban Prep is not an island, but rather an integral part of the community in which it is located. As such, involvement in the school by students' families and community is strongly encouraged and a key element of the students' success.
[edit] Post Graduate Support
Upon graduation, students will be able to rely on the Urban Prep support services until graduation from college. This will help ensure that students attending college will have a support structure in place that helps them succeed in college.
[edit] Summer Programs
Students have opportunities to participate in academic, professional, and service programs during the summer.
[edit] Personal and College Counseling
Each Urban Prep student has a Personal Counselor as well as a College Counselor in each of his four years at the school. These counselors will help ensure that each student has the support he needs to reach his full potential.
[edit] Speaker Series
Adults from the community with significant career achievements and/or unique and inspirational stories will participate in a monthly speaker series for students.
[edit] Positive Male Role Models
Urban Prep has many male teachers, mentors, staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds, all committed to supporting and acting as positive role models to the young men we serve.
