Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy

512 DIVISION AVE S
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503

494 Students

High School 6th - 12th

School Overview

Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy (often referred to as UPrep) is a unique public secondary school located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools district, the academy is specifically designed to provide a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum for students in grades 6–12. Its educational model emphasizes "Exhibition-Based Learning," where students demonstrate their mastery of subject matter through public presentations, research projects, and real-world applications rather than traditional standardized testing alone.

The school is defined by its strong partnership with local higher education institutions and community organizations, which helps create a culture of post-secondary readiness. With a focus on small class sizes and a personalized advisory system, UPrep aims to foster close relationships between students and faculty. By integrating humanities, STEM, and service learning, the academy strives to cultivate critical thinkers and socially responsible leaders who are prepared to navigate the academic and professional demands of college and beyond.

494

Total Students

30.1

Full-Time Teachers

16.4

Student/Teacher Ratio

74.9%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Demographic	Student Count
White	29
Hispanic	209
Black	230
Asian	2
Two or More	24

Black
230 (46.6%)
Hispanic
209 (42.3%)
White
29 (5.9%)
Two or More
24 (4.9%)
Asian
2 (0.4%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Grand Rapids Public Schools
Phone:	(616)819-1010
Grade Range:	6th - 12th
Total Students:	494
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	30.1
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	16.4
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	342
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	28

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 74

Grade 7 82

Grade 8 76

Grade 9 74

Grade 10 74

Grade 11 53

Grade 12 61