University Prep is more diverse than it may initially appear, and much of this diversity results from the school’s commitment to creating an environment based on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) values. These DEIB values ensure that UPrep has a diverse community that gives equal opportunity to every student while also making everyone feel welcome.

At UPrep, we take pride in how these values manifest in our student body; students come from diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, family structures, genders, and races. Statistically speaking, considering UPrep is a private school, it goes above and beyond to create a diverse environment. More than half of the student body identifies as people of color, compared to only 41% of Seattle residents, according to the US Census Bureau.

In addition to race, UPrep also has a diverse community based on socio-economic status. This school year, UPrep awarded $4 million in needs-based financial aid to assist 16% of the students with tuition expenses, according to the UPrep website.

Furthermore, almost exactly half of the students say that they or their families are religiously affiliated, according to a poll of 99 students by the Puma Press.

These are just a couple of examples of how UPrep has a diverse student body. Although our school may sometimes appear less diverse than we would prefer, the reality is that UPrep has succeeded not only in diversifying the school through visible attributes and characteristics like race but also through unseen aspects such as socioeconomic status, gender, background, and family structure.

As the national conversation around DEIB initiatives continues to evolve, UPrep has the chance to remain a strong leader in supporting a diverse and inclusive student body. UPrep is, and should continue to be, a model for other institutions, demonstrating the power of DEIB values in creating a strong community.