Urban Prep Academies

Urban Prep Academies was founded by Tim King and a group of African-American education, business and civic leaders who wanted to improve the educational opportunities available to African-American boys and young men. In 2006, this nonprofit organization opened the country’s first public charter high school for boys: Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men—Englewood Campus. Urban Prep has been recognized internationally for its success in improving the academic, social and emotional development of African-American boys and young men. Currently, Urban Prep operates three non-selective schools, to which students are admitted via lottery, in high-need Chicago communities. 100% of Urban Prep’s graduates—African-American males, almost entirely from low-income families—have been admitted to college. Urban Prep’s schools, as well as Urban Prep’s unique Alumni Program (supporting graduates while they are in college) and Fellows Program (providing workforce development opportunities to alumni upon completing college), have given more than 2,500 African-American boys and young men the tools they need to succeed in college and life. The Urban Prep Motto is “We Believe.”