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UPA Ellen Thompson
About Us
University Preparatory Academy Elementary – Ellen Thompson Campus in Detroit offers a safe, state-of-the-art facility with smaller classes. We provide hands-on, culturally responsive education through Expeditionary and Project-Based Learning, prioritizing scholars' social-emotional well-being.
meet the principal
957 Holden St Detroit, MI 48202 | (313) 874-9800 • (313) 874-9817
Network News & Announcements
Meet the man behind the mission. Interim CEO John Cleary has spent decades building the infrastructure that makes U Prep's promise possible — and the results speak for themselves: 10 schools, 5,000 scholars, and a 90/90 promise that's changing Detroit.
![The image shows a group of people in red uniforms posing together, with a banner in the background announcing the April 2026 U Prep News Newsletter.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776447092/uprepschoolscom/dasskwqzadq9pruct95m/UPREP_POST-AprilNewsletter_Apr2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776447092/uprepschoolscom/dasskwqzadq9pruct95m/UPREP_POST-AprilNewsletter_Apr2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1776447092/uprepschoolscom/dasskwqzadq9pruct95m/UPREP_POST-AprilNewsletter_Apr2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1776447092/uprepschoolscom/dasskwqzadq9pruct95m/UPREP_POST-AprilNewsletter_Apr2026.png","width":940}])
Spring is in full bloom at U Prep — and so is championship energy. From a 1st Place cheer win at UPA Mark Murray to the Academic Games State Championships, the April 2026 newsletter is packed. Read on for all the highlights.
![The image features a group of individuals, likely assistant principals, celebrating National Assistant Principals Week in April 2020. The background appears to be a cityscape with a purple and pink sky, suggesting an urban setting.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775751432/uprepschoolscom/jq90ce097elgez0qad21/UPREP_POST-NatAPWeek_Apr2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775751432/uprepschoolscom/jq90ce097elgez0qad21/UPREP_POST-NatAPWeek_Apr2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1775751432/uprepschoolscom/jq90ce097elgez0qad21/UPREP_POST-NatAPWeek_Apr2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1775751432/uprepschoolscom/jq90ce097elgez0qad21/UPREP_POST-NatAPWeek_Apr2026.png","width":940}])
National Assistant Principals Week honors the unsung heroes at University Prep Schools. Meet the assistant principals who support scholars every day.
![The image features a woman with long dark hair wearing a white top and a white blazer, smiling and holding a book. The background is a solid purple color with the text "Women Who Inspire" and "Celebrating Women History Month • March 2020" displayed.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774455864/uprepschoolscom/f7srbvrkmkeflrasihrc/UPREP_WomenWhoInspireU_Mar2026v3.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774455864/uprepschoolscom/f7srbvrkmkeflrasihrc/UPREP_WomenWhoInspireU_Mar2026v3.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774455864/uprepschoolscom/f7srbvrkmkeflrasihrc/UPREP_WomenWhoInspireU_Mar2026v3.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774455864/uprepschoolscom/f7srbvrkmkeflrasihrc/UPREP_WomenWhoInspireU_Mar2026v3.png","width":940}])
This March, we're launching our "Women Who Inspire U" series, beginning with Chief Academic Officer Djeneba (DJ) Cherif.
![A smiling young person wearing a graphic t-shirt and cargo pants stands in front of a plain wall.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1774043189/uprepschoolscom/dnser1crxpu7bbybyurp/UPREP_POST-MarNewsletter_2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1774043189/uprepschoolscom/dnser1crxpu7bbybyurp/UPREP_POST-MarNewsletter_2026.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1774043189/uprepschoolscom/dnser1crxpu7bbybyurp/UPREP_POST-MarNewsletter_2026.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1774043189/uprepschoolscom/dnser1crxpu7bbybyurp/UPREP_POST-MarNewsletter_2026.png","width":940}])
From championship victories on the basketball court to creative student-led morning shows, March has been extraordinary across all University Prep Schools campuses. Here are the highlights that made this month special for our Panther Pride community.
![A smiling young person wearing a graphic t-shirt and cargo pants stands in front of a plain wall.]([{"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).
News & Events
Meet the man behind the mission. Interim CEO John Cleary has spent decades building the infrastructure that makes U Prep's promise possible — and the results speak for themselves: 10 schools, 5,000 scholars, and a 90/90 promise that's changing Detroit.
- Network News
- UPA News
- UPA sports
- UPAD News
- UPAD sports
- UPSM News
- UPSM sports
Spring is in full bloom at U Prep — and so is championship energy. From a 1st Place cheer win at UPA Mark Murray to the Academic Games State Championships, the April 2026 newsletter is packed. Read on for all the highlights.
- Network News
- UPA News
- UPAD News
- UPSM News
National Assistant Principals Week honors the unsung heroes at University Prep Schools. Meet the assistant principals who support scholars every day.
This March, we're launching our "Women Who Inspire U" series, beginning with Chief Academic Officer Djeneba (DJ) Cherif.