"Virginia UPrep is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and opportunity by providing out-of-school time (OST) programs that prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success. Through STEM, liberal arts, and mentorship, we empower students with the skills, resources, and support they need to navigate their future—whether in higher education, skilled trades, or entrepreneurial ventures. Our goal is to build a strong community where every student has access to the tools needed to achieve their full potential."
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with College & Career Readiness
At UPrep, we understand that academic success goes hand in hand with emotional and social well-being. Our programs integrate SEL competencies like leadership, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills to ensure students develop into well-rounded, confident individuals who ar
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with College & Career Readiness
At UPrep, we understand that academic success goes hand in hand with emotional and social well-being. Our programs integrate SEL competencies like leadership, self-regulation, and interpersonal skills to ensure students develop into well-rounded, confident individuals who are prepared to navigate the challenges of school, work, and life.
Building Confidence, Resilience, and Leadership
UPrep fosters personal development through SEL programs, helping students build emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. These competencies not only support academic success but also prepare students to become responsible, empathetic leaders in their communities.
Learning Through Partnerships and Real-World Connections
Our community-driven approach integrates local partners, businesses, and organizations, providing students with opportunities for mentorship, internships, and service learning. This engagement helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life application, making education relevant and impactful.
Preparing Students for the Future
UPrep ensures that every student is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed for postsecondary success. From college prep to trade school pathways, our programs offer students the tools to explore and pursue diverse career opportunities through structured guidance, exposure, and experiential learning.
Aligned with Virginia SOLs in Science, Math, and CTE Engineering
The STEM Karting program through UPrep Motorsports fuses engineering, physics, and design thinking to put students in the driver’s seat of innovation. Aligned with the Virginia Department of Education’s Standards of Learning for Science, Math, and CTE, this hands-on program challenges students to build, modify, and race electric go-karts—called X-Karts—while exploring real-world applications of mechanical systems, energy transfer, and vehicle dynamics.
Students engage in project-based learning that incorporates welding, 3D design, electronics, and automotive principles. Alongside technical skill development, participants enhance problem-solving, teamwork, and entrepreneurship by preparing their karts for competition and community showcases. Each project concludes with a design presentation and the Upper Grand Prix, a signature race event that celebrates student creativity, precision, and perseverance.
Whether aspiring to be engineers, innovators, or leaders in clean transportation, students in STEM Karting accelerate their learning through speed, science, and self-discovery.
Aligned with Virginia CTE, Visual Arts, and English SOLs
The Media & Marketing program equips students with 21st-century communication skills through hands-on experiences in branding, content creation, and digital storytelling. Aligned with the Virginia Department of Education’s standards in Career and Technical Education (CTE), Visual Arts, and English, this program merges creativity with strategy to help students explore the worlds of advertising, journalism, graphic design, and social media marketing.
Participants learn the foundations of marketing principles, audience analysis, and campaign development while gaining technical skills in video production, photography, copywriting, and web-based tools. Whether producing promotional content for school initiatives or managing mock influencer campaigns, students engage in real-world tasks that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy.
With a focus on entrepreneurship, identity, and purpose-driven media, Media & Marketing prepares students for future careers in the creative economy—and empowers them to shape narratives that reflect their communities and aspirations.
Aligned with Virginia SOLs for Health & Physical Education and Career Investigations (Grades 6–12)
SportsMax is UPrep’s advanced athletics and leadership program, designed for middle and high school youth seeking to elevate their physical skills, strategic thinking, and personal discipline. Aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning for Health and Physical Education, SportsMax integrates high-performance training, fitness science, team dynamics, and sports ethics into an engaging, real-world curriculum.
The program emphasizes injury prevention, nutrition, kinesiology, and leadership—preparing students for lifelong wellness and potential careers in athletics, coaching, sports medicine, or physical education. Students participate in structured skill development, strength conditioning, and peer mentoring while also exploring sports-based career pathways through project-based learning and field experiences.
Whether preparing for competitive play or building foundational skills, SportsMax provides youth with the tools to grow as athletes, leaders, and change agents in their communities.
Aligned with Virginia’s Profile of a Graduate, College and Career Readiness Standards, and Social-Emotional Learning Competencies
The UPrep Success Lab is a foundational course designed to cultivate both the academic mindset and emotional intelligence necessary for student success in high school, postsecondary pathways, and life. By integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) with practical academic and college readiness skills, this course supports students in becoming empowered, self-aware, and goal-driven learners.
Through hands-on workshops, self-reflection activities, and future-planning exercises, students will:
The Success Lab reflects the Virginia Profile of a Graduate by helping students grow in critical thinking, responsible citizenship, collaboration, and career awareness. As a flexible OST course, it can be tailored to different age groups, academic levels, and program goals, making it a core offering in the UPrep ecosystem.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve student outcomes . Your generous donation will fund our mission.
