The College Preparatory School
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The College Preparatory School (also known as CPS, College Prep, or simply Prep), of Oakland, California, a four-year day high school, was founded in 1960. Its motto is mens conscia recti, Latin for "a mind conscious of what is right."
Originally located across from a Safeway on Claremont Avenue, the school moved to its current location at the top of Broadway in 1983. Built in a eucalypus-lined ravine, of usually two-storied wood-shingled buildings connected by balconies, walkways, and courtyards, it is often said that the small campus resembles a ski lodge.
The school's strict academics and small size (usually little larger than 80) have translated into an admissions rate as low as or even lower than many top-ranked American colleges and universities. In turn, many students from CPS go on to study at Ivy League and other prestigious universities, primarily in California or the East Coast.
As at many schools, students must complete a certain number of courses in English, science, math, foreign language, history, art, and physical fitness (known as "Wellness"). In addition to these courses, a number of electives are offered. Since all classes are taken to be taught at "Honors" level, no classes are specifically labeled as such, and grade point averages are calculated on a flat 4.0 scale. Some classes, especially in math and science, are designated as AP test preparatory, although many juniors or seniors in classes not specifically test-oriented, such as English and History, also take those respective APs.
In addition to its academics, College Prep sports an enviably tight community of students, teachers, and staff. Assembly, held twice-weekly outside in the main courtyard, provides an opportunity for anyone to announce events, share opinions on current events, wish a classmate a happy birthday, or otherwise communicate to the community. More than once has a student come out there on a Monday or Wednesday morning, with loving and positive support. Every class participates in an annual retreat, a vital weekend of class-building while playing in the beaches of Marin County, rafting a river, traversing a ropes course, or relaxing by the poolside before graduation.
The newspaper is the CPS Express, and the yearbook is known as Entropy. Every year features a big performing arts event, alternating between musicals and road trips. Other annual events include Snow Trip, a three-day jaunt up to the Sierras after Fall Semester finals in January; CPS Day, with a morning of alternative education and an afternoon of manual labor for the benefit of the schoolgrounds; Intraterm, a week in the middle of Spring Semester which affords students the opportunity to travel on an organized trip or take or teach alternative classes; and a number of community-awareness activities such as Oxfam and holiday-time Adopt-a-Family.
Tuition for the 2003-2004 school year is $19,950, with some financial aid possible. The class of 2003's mean cumulative SAT score was an even 1400.
External links
- The College Preparatory School's official home page (http://www.college-prep.org)
- An alumnus's photo-rich profile of his alma mater (http://www.jessefriedman.com/lifeatcps)