The History...

University Preparatory Academy (UPA) first opened its doors in 2000 in the basement of a church appropriately named, “The Promise Land”, on Medbury in Detroit.  The first year UPA opened with 112 sixth graders.  The second year University Preparatory Academy moved into a rehabbed medical center near Wayne State University.  Since this time University Prep has grown dramatically.  From 2000 until 2004, University Prep added one grade of students each year.  In 2005 University Preparatory Elementary School was opened to house grades K-5.  In September of 2008, University Preparatory Elementary II will open and University Prep Academy will have over 1,600 students from Pre-School to 12th grade for the 2008-2009 school year. Pictured to the left: The first University Prep 6th graders, 2000. Photograph by Lisa Spindler.