Summer 2025 Blog | Weeks 2 & 3 Highlights
The past three weeks have been packed with momentum, including guest speakers, spirit days, wellness work, and hands-on projects that connect academics with real life. From poetry and self-portraits to data analysis and topographical maps, scholars across all three sites are building their life blueprints with purpose and creativity.
Board Meeting & Prep Scholars Academy Visit
Buffalo Prep’s Board of Directors gathered at D’Youville University – home of our Prep Scholars Academy program – for their summer meeting. Following the meeting, board members toured classrooms to get a closer look at the summer programming in action.
In one classroom, students were engaged in a financial literacy workshop led by Broadview Federal Credit Union. In science, scholars played an ecology-themed card game to explore biomes and environmental systems. Over in English, students were reading the graphic novel Invisible and diving into thoughtful discussions about what it means to feel unseen in today’s world.
Middle School Prep: Hands-On Learning & Spirit Week Fun
At Middle School Prep, scholars are blending academics with creativity, expression, and fun.
During a recent Prep in Action visit, guests toured classrooms and got a behind-the-scenes look at what scholars have been working on:
- Math: 3D shapes made from marshmallows and toothpicks (one scholar created a pentagon-shaped house!)
- Science: Topographical maps of elevation and mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada
- ELA: Free writing on personal and social issues scholars care about
- Social Studies: Presentations on Civil Rights leaders
This week also marked Spirit Week at MSP, with themed days including:
- Twin Day
- 90s Day
- Rep Your House Day
High School Prep: Academics, Identity & Real-World Connections
Guest Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Andre M. Perry
Scholars met Dr. Andre M. Perry, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of Black Power Scorecard. He discussed college access, homeownership, public policy, and asset devaluation in Black communities, engaging students in powerful dialogue about economic justice and opportunity. Thank you to Second Chapter Bookstore, Stephanie Peete, and Daniel Robertson of Say Yes Buffalo/Breaking Barriers for planning this event!
STEAM, Science, and ELA Projects
- STEAM: Scholars designed blueprint-style floor plans of their lives and researched career statistics using data tools.
- Science: Case study research on healthcare inequality and system design for equitable access.
- ELA: Reading The Other Wes Moore and Go Black Boy Fly! while creating poetry books and self-portraits tied to identity.
Legacy in Action: Alumni Wall Scavenger Hunt
Legacy in Action: Alumni Wall Scavenger HuntScholars participated in a scavenger hunt exploring Buffalo Prep’s Lift as you Climb Alumni Wall, helping them reflect on the legacy they want to leave behind, at Prep and beyond.
Wellness Work Across Sites
Our 5-week wellness program is underway, focusing on healthy peer and family relationships, emotional regulation, and community building. All summer sites have dedicated social workers or interns onsite, ensuring every scholar has the support they need to thrive.
Middle School Clubs Spotlight
In the History of Hip-Hop Club led by Ms. Sydney, scholars created their own graffiti art while learning about the genre’s powerful cultural roots.
Field Trip Spotlight: Keller Technology
High School Prep scholars visited Keller Technology to explore careers in engineering, meet professionals in the field, and see manufacturing technology in action.
See It for Yourself – Join Us for Prep in Action!
Want to see our summer programs in action? RSVP for a Prep in Action visit to tour classrooms, meet scholars, and witness Buffalo Prep’s mission come to life.
