Original Research by School Decision on University Prep Charter Middle School
University Prep Charter Middle School is a small, charter-operated school district in the Bronx serving grades five through eight. The school's enrollment is modest, with the largest cohorts in the upper middle grades. The student body is predominantly Hispanic and Black, with very small representation of other racial and ethnic groups and no reported Asian, White, or multiracial enrollment above single digits.
The school's performance data shows a notable strength: its chronic absenteeism rate places it in the top quartile among Bronx County's districts, meaning students attend more regularly than the median. This is a concrete asset. Per-pupil spending falls in the upper-middle range for the county, suggesting moderate resource allocation. State assessment proficiency data and four-year graduation rates were not available, which is typical for a middle school serving only grades five through eight, since state testing and graduation measures apply primarily to high school. A parent may want to ask the school directly about how students perform on state assessments in the grades tested and about placement patterns into high schools.
A substantial change is underway. In October 2023, the State University of New York Trustees approved a five-year charter renewal through 2028-29 that authorizes the school to expand from its current middle grades configuration to serve grades K through eight. This is not a minor adjustment; it would add elementary grades to a school that has operated only as a middle school, fundamentally reshaping the pathway for families and opening enrollment to younger children. The expansion also increases authorized enrollment capacity. If approved through the renewal process, this shifts University Prep from a standalone middle school experience into a longer K-8 continuum, which may appeal to families seeking a consistent charter pathway from early elementary through the transition to high school.
The school operates in the Bronx within Community School District 7. Data on program offerings, staffing depth, discipline practices, and other operational details were not available in the sources reviewed, so prospective families should explore the school's website and contact the administration directly to understand the curriculum, special supports, and day-to-day environment. The chronic absenteeism standing is a meaningful indicator that the school retains student engagement, but the fuller academic and social picture would benefit from a direct conversation with school leadership.
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