Wrapping Up Summer at Buffalo Prep
For five weeks this summer, our Buffalo Prep middle school scholars explored the theme What’s your Life’s Blueprint?, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to “be the best of whatever you are” in his powerful 1967 speech to students in Philadelphia.
Across Prep Scholars Academy, Middle School Prep, and High School Prep, students asked themselves big questions: What values guide me? How do I want to shape my future? How can I use my voice and talents to make an impact?
Through hands-on projects, creative expression, and meaningful community experiences, each scholar began building their own blueprint for success. As the summer comes to a close, we’re proud to share the highlights of their journeys.
Exploring, Creating, and Having Fun
High School Prep scholars visited the M&T Bank Tech Hub, where they saw how innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving shape careers of the future.
And, of course, PSA kept a favorite tradition going with the annual trip to the splash pad!
Our Middle School Prep scholars created a special rap about Buffalo Prep, writing lyrics, practicing flows, and learning about production – stay tuned for the video! In the meantime, check out some behind-the-scenes action!
Creativity in Action: Prep Rally
Our annual end-of-summer Prep Rally was an opportunity for scholars to present their projects from the summer to the Buffalo Prep community, including their families, board members, and staff. Check out some of the highlights below:
Prep Scholars Academy: Scholars showed off projects that combined creativity, research, and leadership. Science classes built their own Ecologies card game while math students stepped into the teacher’s role, designing lessons for their peers. In ELA, students launched newscasts and multimedia stories, while in social studies scholars explored their ‘somebodiness’ through identity charts, name stories, and community maps.
Middle School Prep: Scholars expressed their voices and values through vision boards, open letters, zines, and maps. In math and science, students created detailed travel plans and efficient route maps, blending geometry, measurement, and critical thinking. Social studies classes created zines and collaborated on a community action blueprint, while ELA students drafted open letters on issues that mattered most to them.
High School Prep: Projects included self-portraits and poetry books inspired by Dr. King’s Blueprint speech and alum TaNisha Fordham’s “Go Black Boy Fly”, science-based models offering solutions to community problems, and life blueprints that mapped out personal values alongside social justice commitments. These projects were the culmination of weeks of study and reflection, tying together literature, science, and math/STEAM.
Celebrating Milestones
We closed the summer with a celebration of milestones and new beginnings. One of the highlights was honoring the Prep Scholars Academy and High School Prep Class of 2025 at their graduation. After months of hard work and dedication, our scholars have completed their respective programs and are preparing to enter high school this fall. They’ll be attending schools such as Nichols School, The Park School of Buffalo, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, City Honors, and more. We are so proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to welcome them to College Prep! Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Looking Ahead
This summer, our scholars showed us what it really looks like to design a blueprint for the future, one filled with curiosity, creativity, resilience, and joy. From tackling STEM challenges to producing a rap video, from exploring career pathways to leading community projects, they are building bright, brilliant futures.
We’re so proud of our scholars and can’t wait to see all they’ll achieve in the school year ahead.
