Brief Chronology of Buffalo Prep

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 entrance into 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. Over the course of 22 years, Buffalo Prep has provided “an education of a lifetime” for our deserving students. As we listened to parents, students and educators, we recognized the need to offer a wide range of programs to serve different age groups in the community. Our time line is illustrated below:

High School Prep
In 1989, the first program implemented was High School Prep,an intensive 14-month program for students preparing to enter high school. Based on the successful model of Prep for Prep in New York City, High School Prep engages minority youth for the entire summer before 8th grade, during the 8th grade academic year and the summer after the 8th grade. Students become acclimated to the rigorous demands of college preparatory education and advanced placement courses. Students who complete the program receive scholarships to attend one of our consortium private, independent schools that are members of the Buffalo Independent Secondary Schools Network (BISSNET) or attend public college preparatory high schools.

College Prep
In 1999, we launched College Prep, which offers college and career counseling. The program includes financial aid workshops, scholarship information, an SAT prep course, and college tours. The College Prep program was expanded in 2000 by partnering with The John R. Oishei Foundation to launch the Rising to Distinction 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 college preparatory, private and independent BISSNET schools and to include minority students from these schools who need additional tutoring assistance or help with college preparation.

Middle School Prep
In the summer of 2001, Buffalo Prep continued to grow with the addition of Middle School Prep. This program provides talented post 5th and post 6th graders with a five week arts-integrated, academic enrichment experience during the summer. In 2009, an academic program for 7th graders was added to fill the gap between the summer program and High School Prep. With the addition of this Middle School Prep Program, Buffalo Prep has a connected continuum of academic enrichment experiences beginning with the 5th grade and ending with college entrance.

18 Acheson Annex * Buffalo, NY 14124 * SUNY @ Buffalo * Phone: (716) 829 - 3605 * Fax: (716) 829 - 2735