What Does Urban Prep Academies Do?

Total employees20
HeadquartersChicago
Founded2002

Urban Prep Academies is a network of public charter high schools founded in Chicago in 2002 by Tim King, with the mission to provide a high-quality, college-preparatory education to young Black men. For many years, Urban Prep gained national recognition for its remarkable achievement of a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating seniors. The schools emphasized a culture of excellence, brotherhood, and resilience, symbolized by the red ties worn by students. However, in recent years, Urban Prep Academies has faced significant operational and financial challenges, leading to the difficult decision by Chicago Public Schools to revoke the charters for its Englewood and Bronzeville campuses in 2023, followed by the planned closure of its remaining West Campus at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The organization is currently navigating this transition, with a likely focus on supporting its alumni and managing the conclusion of its school operations.

Where Is Urban Prep Academies's Headquarters?

Urban Prep Academies officeUrban Prep Academies officeUrban Prep Academies officeUrban Prep Academies office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central administrative hub for the Urban Prep Academies network. Historically, it oversaw strategy, operations, fundraising, and academic programming. Currently, its functions likely include managing the wind-down of school operations, supporting alumni programs, and handling administrative and legal matters.

Notable Features:

Standard office facilities within a multi-tenant commercial building in downtown Chicago, equipped for administrative, leadership, and support functions.

Work Culture:

Historically characterized by a strong, mission-driven culture focused on educational excellence, student achievement, and community impact. The current environment is likely focused on managing complex transitions, preserving the organization's legacy, and supporting stakeholders through a challenging period.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters remains the primary point of contact and leadership for Urban Prep Academies, crucial for coordinating the final stages of its school operations, engaging with alumni, and representing the organization's legacy.

Values Reflected in HQ: The continued operation of a central office, despite campus closures, reflects resilience, a commitment to fulfilling remaining obligations, and dedication to the students and alumni served by Urban Prep throughout its history.

Location:

Urban Prep Academies' operations and impact have been entirely focused on the City of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The organization does not have a global presence or international branches; its mission has been dedicated to serving young men within the Chicago community.

Street Address:

420 N. Wabash Ave., Suite 400

City:

Chicago

State/Province:

Illinois

Country:

USA

Where Else Does Urban Prep Academies Operate Around the World?

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Address: 1326 W. 14th Pl, Chicago, IL 60608 (Last known address)

Provided educational services to students primarily from Chicago's West Side and surrounding communities, aiming to prepare them for college success.

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Address: 6201 S Stewart Ave, Chicago, IL 60621 (Historic address)

Served students from Chicago's South Side, particularly the Englewood neighborhood, with a focus on academic rigor and college placement.

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Address: 521 E 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616 (Historic address)

Catered to students from Chicago's South Side, including the Bronzeville community, offering a structured academic program.

Buying Intent Signals for Urban Prep Academies

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Urban Prep Academies? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Urban Prep Academies' leadership includes:

Tim King - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Who's Investing in Urban Prep Academies?

Urban Prep Academies has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Chicago Public Schools (historic primary funder via per-pupil allocations)
Various Philanthropic Foundations (past and potentially ongoing for specific programs)
Individual Donors and Community Supporters
Corporate Sponsorships (historically for events or programs)

What Leadership Changes Has Urban Prep Academies Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

The past 12-24 months for Urban Prep Academies have been predominantly marked by organizational restructuring and campus closures due to charter revocations by Chicago Public Schools. Publicly available information has focused on these significant operational changes rather than specific new executive hires or departures unrelated to the broader organizational shifts. Leadership, spearheaded by Founder Tim King, has been navigating these complex transitions.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUrban Prep Academies?

Discover the tools Urban Prep Academies uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Urban Prep Academies Email Formats and Examples

Urban Prep Academies commonly uses an email format combining the first initial and the full last name of the employee, followed by the '@urbanprep.org' domain. For example, if an employee is named Tim King, the email address would likely be 'tking@urbanprep.org'. Variations might exist for common names or different departments.

[first_initial][last]@urbanprep.org

Format

tking@urbanprep.org

Example

70%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Urban Prep Academies?

Chicago Crusader • February 8, 2024

Urban Prep West Campus to close at end of school year

Urban Prep Academies’ West Campus in Chicago is set to close at the end of the current school year, following a decision by the Illinois State Board of Education. This marks the closure of the last remaining campus of the once-prominent charter school network....more

Hyde Park Herald • November 2, 2023

Future of Urban Prep’s last-standing West Campus remains uncertain

The article discusses the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Urban Prep's West Campus, its last operational school, after its Englewood and Bronzeville campuses were closed by CPS. The piece highlights the challenges and the fight to keep the campus open....more

Chalkbeat Chicago • March 23, 2023

Urban Prep’s West campus gets one-year reprieve from closure, Bronzeville and Englewood will close

Chicago Public Schools board voted to close Urban Prep’s Bronzeville and Englewood campuses at the end of the school year due to performance and financial issues, while granting the West campus a one-year reprieve under a remediation plan....more

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