We need your help. Since early 2023, University Preparatory School for Young Men in Rochester, N.Y., has sought necessary approvals from the Town of Irondequoit Planning Board to purchase a vacant building at 3000 East Ridge Road to become our school’s future home.

UPrep is a tremendous success story. Educating young men in grades 7-12 since 2010, the school has a average 90% percent graduation rate and our charter was recently renewed for the 3" time by the State University of New York.

We have outgrown our current space on Lake Avenue in Rochester. After an extensive two-year search of potential locations in the City of Rochester and surrounding region, we identified the vacant building in Irondequoit. We are working in good faith with the Town to explore purchasing the property, which is large enough to house our school with ample room for parking, CTE program expansion, and an athletic practice field.

Some Irondequoit residents voiced concerns about our proposal—we have listened and responded. Our future neighbors have toured the current school and met with our administrators, staff, and students. Our leaders have answered their questions in an open, transparent manner.

Unfortunately, our relocation is being hindered by the Town of Irondequoit. At recent Planning Board meetings, residents were allowed to speak on topics unrelated to the issues at hand, and standard protocols were not followed. Speaker time limits were not enforced and disrespectful, untrue statements about our school were allowed. These behaviors are representative of the obstacles being unnecessarily placed in the path of progress.

Our students and the community deserve better. We are calling on the Town of Irondequoit to improve the review process to ensure it is fair and equitable for all. Relocating UPrep to Irondequoit will benefit our students, our region, and the neighborhood in which we are located—something we have experienced firsthand at our current location.

Together, we can ensure a positive outcome for everyone involved—including eliminating implicit bias and racism from the process. Show your support for our relocation efforts by signing the petition today.