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University Prep Art & Design High School
Located in Detroit's Cultural District, we offer a safe, state-of-the-art facility with smaller classes, an art and design focus, and free after-school programs. Our culturally responsive education emphasizes scholars' social-emotional well-being and career exploration.
485 W. Milwaukee Ave. Detroit, MI. 48202 | Phone: (313) 481-4000 Fax: (313) 481-4001
UPAD News & Announcements
![🚨 NEWS ALERT: The February U Prep Newsletter Is Here!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770849852/uprepschoolscom/pkvsenmurkfzgctgcm1g/UPREP_POST-FebNewsletter_2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770849852/uprepschoolscom/pkvsenmurkfzgctgcm1g/UPREP_POST-FebNewsletter_2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770849852/uprepschoolscom/pkvsenmurkfzgctgcm1g/UPREP_POST-FebNewsletter_2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770849852/uprepschoolscom/pkvsenmurkfzgctgcm1g/UPREP_POST-FebNewsletter_2026.png","width":940}])
The February University Prep Schools newsletter is now available, featuring scholarship updates, key upcoming events, and powerful scholar voices from across our schools. This edition highlights UPA Mark Murray's "commitment to cultivating good humans," and UPA Ellen Thompson’s focus on inspiring lifelong learners, along with reports from four scholar reporters, including 5th grader Logan Banks-Johnson (pictured).
![Big Wins. Bold Innovation. Scholar-Driven Creativity.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770848385/uprepschoolscom/pfg1q8untmk4fbzmipog/UPREP_POST-75kGrantPathways_2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770848385/uprepschoolscom/pfg1q8untmk4fbzmipog/UPREP_POST-75kGrantPathways_2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770848385/uprepschoolscom/pfg1q8untmk4fbzmipog/UPREP_POST-75kGrantPathways_2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770848385/uprepschoolscom/pfg1q8untmk4fbzmipog/UPREP_POST-75kGrantPathways_2026.png","width":940}])
University Prep Academy High School – Ed Parks Campus has been awarded a $75,000 Pathway to Possibilities grant from the Detroit Children’s Fund to create a student-inspired Makerspace STEM Lab in the school library. The space will feature 3D printing, hands-on AI experiences, augmented reality development, podcasting, digital storytelling, music production, and digital art and animation—designed to amplify scholar creativity and prepare future-ready leaders.
![$60,000 Invested in Scholar Innovation at U Prep Schools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770318734/uprepschoolscom/zzzdwys7yj0cre4ngieh/UPREP_POST-Impact30_2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770318734/uprepschoolscom/zzzdwys7yj0cre4ngieh/UPREP_POST-Impact30_2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770318734/uprepschoolscom/zzzdwys7yj0cre4ngieh/UPREP_POST-Impact30_2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770318734/uprepschoolscom/zzzdwys7yj0cre4ngieh/UPREP_POST-Impact30_2026.png","width":940}])
U Prep Schools secures $60,000 in GVSU Impact 30 funding to power hands-on learning, creative placemaking, and scholar-led innovation across UPA and UPAD High Schools
![UPA High School’s library builds community of book lovers, garners state award and funding for makerspace]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770318744/uprepschoolscom/d50allt7thijmvzxy30f/UPREP_POST-UPAHSLibrary2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770318744/uprepschoolscom/d50allt7thijmvzxy30f/UPREP_POST-UPAHSLibrary2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770318744/uprepschoolscom/d50allt7thijmvzxy30f/UPREP_POST-UPAHSLibrary2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770318744/uprepschoolscom/d50allt7thijmvzxy30f/UPREP_POST-UPAHSLibrary2026.png","width":940}])
In December 2025, UPA High School was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Detroit Children’s Fund to expand the library’s makerspace, which will include 3D printing and hands-on AI experiences spanning augmented reality development, podcasts, video, digital storytelling, music, and digital art and animation.
![U Prep Scholars Selected for the 2025–2027 Skillman Youth Council]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770316747/uprepschoolscom/fkzirveqsabziwgwokey/Post_SkillmanYouthCouncil_800x582px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770316747/uprepschoolscom/fkzirveqsabziwgwokey/Post_SkillmanYouthCouncil_800x582px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770316747/uprepschoolscom/fkzirveqsabziwgwokey/Post_SkillmanYouthCouncil_800x582px.png","width":800}])
Four U Prep scholars were selected to serve as 2025–2027 Skillman Youth Council members, representing their schools and Detroit as youth leaders committed to community impact.
![U Prep Schools Celebrates 25 Years of Impact]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770320365/uprepschoolscom/eeroh1hi7d4vx5lanryj/UPREP_POST-25thANNY_2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770320365/uprepschoolscom/eeroh1hi7d4vx5lanryj/UPREP_POST-25thANNY_2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770320365/uprepschoolscom/eeroh1hi7d4vx5lanryj/UPREP_POST-25thANNY_2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770320365/uprepschoolscom/eeroh1hi7d4vx5lanryj/UPREP_POST-25thANNY_2025.png","width":940}])
U Prep Schools was featured in Metro Parent, highlighting 25 years of educational impact, community partnership and scholar success in Detroit.
Network News & Events
The February University Prep Schools newsletter is now available, featuring scholarship updates, key upcoming events, and powerful scholar voices from across our schools. This edition highlights UPA Mark Murray's "commitment to cultivating good humans," and UPA Ellen Thompson’s focus on inspiring lifelong learners, along with reports from four scholar reporters, including 5th grader Logan Banks-Johnson (pictured).
University Prep Academy High School – Ed Parks Campus has been awarded a $75,000 Pathway to Possibilities grant from the Detroit Children’s Fund to create a student-inspired Makerspace STEM Lab in the school library. The space will feature 3D printing, hands-on AI experiences, augmented reality development, podcasting, digital storytelling, music production, and digital art and animation—designed to amplify scholar creativity and prepare future-ready leaders.
- Network News
- Points of Pride
- UPA News
- UPAD News
U Prep Schools secures $60,000 in GVSU Impact 30 funding to power hands-on learning, creative placemaking, and scholar-led innovation across UPA and UPAD High Schools
In December 2025, UPA High School was awarded a $75,000 grant from the Detroit Children’s Fund to expand the library’s makerspace, which will include 3D printing and hands-on AI experiences spanning augmented reality development, podcasts, video, digital storytelling, music, and digital art and animation.