Founded in 2001 by the Princeton University Program in Teacher Preparation, the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) is a rigorous, academic and cultural enrichment program that supports high-achieving, low-income high school students from local districts. Our multi-year, tuition-free program prepares participants for admission to and ongoing success within selective colleges and universities. Students are selected to become PUPP Scholars during the spring of their freshmen year of high school. PUPP currently partners directly with six high schools in the Mercer County, NJ region: Ewing High School, Lawrence High School, Nottingham High School (Hamilton, NJ), Princeton High School, Trenton Central High School and Trenton High School West. Students must attend one of these schools in order to be eligible for the program. Acceptance into PUPP is contingent upon a student’s academic record, state exam scores (NJ Ask 8), a writing sample, house-hold income, and their performance in a small group interview, leadership potential, and commitment to pursuing higher education. The recruitment process takes place during the spring of 9th grade, with applications available on March 1st each year. Once selected, PUPP Scholars participate throughout the remainder of their high school career. Scholars complete three, intensive six-and-a-half week summer institutes at Princeton University and take part in school-year programming, including weekly after school academic enrichment sessions and a series of cultural excursions. PUPP works directly with students and their parents during their senior year of high school to provide guidance and support during the college admissions and financial aid process. PUPP alumni receive support with their transition to college and guidance throughout their collegiate career.

2001

300+

Private donors, University support

The Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP) is a rigorous, academic and cultural enrichment program that supports high-achieving, low-income high school students from local districts. Our multi-year, tuition-free program prepares participants for admission to and ongoing success within selective colleges and universities.

Through our work, we develop and nurture: Passion for learning and a commitment to academic pursuits; Individual perspectives through critical and creative thinking, readings, discussions, personal interactions, extra-curricular and life experiences; A breadth and depth of academic performances in writing, literature, social and natural sciences, mathematics and cultural arts; Leadership skills, self-esteem, intellectual courage, self-reliance, personal responsibility, wellness, and constructive relationship Personal responsibility for the PUPP community both within the program and among its constituents and partners; and Cross-cultural competence and understanding. In the pursuit of this Mission, we are committed to providing an environment and program that will: Enhance the talents, strengths and interests that each student brings to the program; Establish and maintain rigorous academic, personal, and social principles; Forge mutually supportive partnerships among staff, students and their families; Engage students in a broad range of academic and cultural experiences; Collaborate with partner schools, community agencies, university personnel, and college access networks; and Provide students and their families with the information, resources, and guidance they need to be successful in their highest attainable and most compatible choices for post-secondary education and beyond.

Development of whole child/scholar - academic preparation; cultural enrichment; college preparatio