Middle School Prep

“The best thing about Middle School Prep was learning new things, then showing my mom up on things she didn’t know.”

Middle School Prep (MSP) supports post-5th and 6th-grade academically motivated scholars across Western New York with accelerated educational enrichment. MSP is an engaging, five-week summer program during the crucial middle school years that keeps scholars engaged through a culturally relevant, fun, and stimulating learning environment. This program nurtures a love of learning, cultivates peer-to-peer connections, and prepares scholars for success in their educational aspirations.

117 scholars completed the MSP program

97% retention rate

21% of scholars also participated in MSP in 2021

English Language Arts Mathematics

Rising sixth-grade scholars studied issues of economic injustice, classism, racism, microaggressions, and cultural competence and identity.

Rising seventh-grade scholars read Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds and reflected on identity, their lived experiences, and the environments that form identity.

Scholars attend

44 different schools

Rising sixth-grade scholars explored census data/statistics from Buffalo and reflected on whether the city budget reflects the needs of its citizens.

Rising seventh-grade scholars explored math’s involvement in their local communities and addressed the disproportionate opportunities that people of color face to succeed at math-related areas.

Scholars created a magazine by researching how to design advertisements, make headlines, and write editorials on essential issues.

Digital Literacy

Six different languages were spoken in students’ homes

Science

Rising sixth-grade scholars focused on developing historical literacy and appreciation for diverse cultural perspectives.

Rising seventh-grade scholars created a “Game of Life,” in which they designed a game based on historical inequities for people of color in the United States after examining the Civil War era.

Scholars participated in daily hands-on science activities to understand that the scientific method is the foundation for problem-solving and that most scientific developments occur in response to problems or conflicts.

Social Studies

What do you like best about Buffalo Prep?

I think the classes are the best part. The teachers at Prep are really fun, and they help me a lot. At my school, the teachers don’t help me like they do here.

What has been your greatest challeng , and how did you overcome it?

COVID was the hardest challenge for me because we had to stay in the house, and we couldn’t go to school. Talking to my friends on the phone and being positive about the pandemic ending and seeing them again is what got me through.

Was there anything you learned in Middle School Prep that you found useful in the 7thgrade?

We started learning algebra over the summer which has helped me out a lot in math in school this year.

We believe that our scholars have superpowerswhat do you consider your real-life superpower, and why?

I would say my superpower is being a fast learner. I think that’s a superpower because I can easily pick up on things which allows me to succeed.

In ten years, where do you hope to be in life?

I hope to be an artist. I would like to open my own gallery.

After reflecting on the lessons you learned, what advice would you give to a future Middle School Prep scholar?

I would tell them that this is a good program, so they should take advantage of this opportunity. I would also say that it is a lot of word; you have to make sure that you stay on top of everything and don’t wait until the last minute to get things done.