History

Buffalo Prep was created in 1989 by education and community leaders to serve two distinct, related purposes: (1) to help bright, economically disadvantaged minority students prepare for, obtain and excel in demanding college-preparatory high schools, and (2) to help our partner private, independent and exam-based public schools recruit, embrace and take advantage of a more diverse student body. This was the start of the High School Prep program (formerly known as Secondary Prep).

Over the course of the 20 years that Buffalo Prep has been providing an education of a lifetime for our deserving students, we've recognized the need to offer a wider range of programs to serve the different age groups in the community. In 1999, we launched our "College Prep" program, which offers college and career counseling, including financial aid workshops, scholarship information, an SAT prep course and college tours.

In the summer of 2001, we continued our growth with the addition of "Middle School Prep" on the campus of St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute. This program provides talented post 5^th and post 6^th graders with a five week arts-integrated academic enrichment experience. Each year, these students have significantly raised their language arts and mathematics scores and avoid the "summer slump" that many students who don't participate in academic work suffer and are more prepared to succeed in the important middle school years. This program is now held at Nichols Middle School.

In 2000, Buffalo Prep partnered with the John R. Oishei Foundation and launched the Rising to Distinction (RTD) program. This initiative provides counseling, tutoring, high school readiness and college counseling services to students who receive the John R. Oishei Scholarship to attend one of the 17 BISSNET private and independent schools.

As we begin our 20^th year, Buffalo Prep has embarked on the development of a Business & Growth Sustainability Plan for the next 20 years. With the support of the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Buffalo Prep Board of Directors and staff remain true to our emphasis on excellence through hard work and look forward to unveiling our plans for the future to provide education beyond expectation!