Program

Preparation

The Preparatory Component prepares students to excel academically and socially at the nation's leading independent schools. This rigorous 14-month course of study spans two intensive summer sessions, as well as classes during the intervening school year on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Prep for Prep Preparatory Component prepares sixth- and seventh-graders to enter New York City independent day schools in seventh or eighth grade. The PREP 9 Preparatory Component prepares eighth-graders to enter boarding school in the Northeast in ninth grade. To familiarize students with boarding school life, they spend two weeks of both summer sessions on a boarding school campus.

Elanie Paredes (XXXI/VCS '11, Columbia Prep '15, Barnard '20)

I now know that the true value of Prep is to teach students how to push through obstacles and to become innovative problem solvers. Most importantly, I am learning to lean into discomfort where there is no room for fear.

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  • Laboratory Science

    Dissect a frog
    Examine algae
    View your DNA

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  • Math

    Factor polynomials
    Test the Pythagorean Theorem

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  • Recreation

    Basketball
    Soccer
    Step dance

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  • Advisory Periods

    Peer support from older Prep students
    Expectations in a private school
    Overcoming homesickness

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  • Literature & Writing

    Discuss Black Boy by Richard Wright and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
    Construct personal essays 

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  • Research Skills

    Prepare for debates
    Validate news sources
    Learn to give and receive feedback

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  • Invictus

    Build self-awareness and self-empowerment
    Identify and overcome obstacles

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  • Conclave

    Personal goal setting 
    Time management techniques
ADMISSIONS & 
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 
163 West 91st Street
New York, NY 10024
P: 212.579.1470
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS & 
ADMINISTRATION 
328 West 71st Street
New York, NY 10023
P: 212.579.1390
We envision a nation guided by ethical and effective leaders that reflect our diverse society. 

Prep for Prep's mission is to develop future leaders by creating access for young people of color to first-rate educational, leadership development and professional opportunities.