UPrep’s First Black Graduate

Jamil Miles moved her tassel to the left side of her cap, unaware that as she stood there at her graduation in 1995, she would be claiming her title as the first Black person to graduate from University Prep.

Throughout her time attending UPrep from the 7th to 12th grade, Miles was not necessarily the only Black kid in school. However, she did notice that the attendance of other Black students was more temporary than permanent. 

“There were a couple of Black students that went to school with me during middle school. Some got to high school but didn’t necessarily choose to remain to graduate,” Miles said. “So it’s not as if there wasn’t anyone ever, but I did graduate as the only Black girl in my class.”

Being the only Black girl in her grade, Miles was able to find affinity with other Black students through the various activities she participated in outside of school.

“I played sports growing up—I played soccer, and I rowed—so while it wasn’t necessarily a whole lot of other Black kids, I met other Black people through those experiences,” Miles said. “I also participated in a number of historically Black organizations in the city that helped me to connect again with more Black kids my age.”

Miles acknowledges the efforts of UPrep and other Seattle independent schools in recognizing the experiences of their students of color.

“The school definitely had diversity initiatives,” Miles said. “A number of independent schools would sponsor opportunities each year for people of color to come together from all the independent schools in the area.”

For Miles, school was not a place that had a great impact on her social life as much as it did her education.

“I think there is a lot of emphasis put on your school being all encompassing. And that’s not how I viewed my school experience,” Miles said. “I viewed it as a place where I should have solid relationships—and I did— I also viewed it as an opportunity for me to learn and be fulfilled in different ways.

Now that it has been 28 years since she last walked the halls of the school, Miles continues to appreciate UPrep as it prepared her for life beyond graduation.

“I had a very positive experience at University Prep. I say that because my parents sent me there because the education there was one that they felt was best for me as a learner,” Miles said. “When I got to college, I had no hesitation performing at the college level. Not only did they prepare us as students, they created a space where learning was valued.”