Same mission. New name.

Since 2008, we've grown from one school serving 57 6th-grade students to four schools serving more than 850 students in grades K-8. As we've established ourselves and proven our success, our schools have become more visible.

When we began, each of our campus names were modeled on other high-performing schools we admired. Today, we’re no longer trying to base ourselves on the excellence of others — we have achieved excellence in our own right, and our name should reflect that.

Last fall, we interviewed families, students, staff, and community members to understand how people experience our school and to consider how we share our success. Across every group, we heard requests for school names that are simpler, that share where we are, and that give clear information.

Our boards approved the following changes for the 2024-25 school year:

Our four school campuses operate within one district: United Schools Columbus.

Columbus Collegiate Academy - Main St.
is now
United Middle Main St.

Columbus Collegiate Academy - Dana Ave.
is now
United Middle Dana Ave.

United Preparatory Academy - State St.
is now
United Elementary State St.

United Preparatory Academy - East
is now
United Elementary 17th St.

  • Updating our naming structure allows us to do a few things. First, it gives us brand cohesion between campuses. Rather than having elementary and middle schools with completely different names, there's a clear line across the K-8th grade pathway. Second, it distinguishes us from similarly-named schools across Columbus. Third, it gives clear information about where are schools are located and what levels are at each building. Finally, it allows us to lift up the outstanding work happening across the network and speak about it at the state and national level under one name -- United.

  • No! Our mission, vision, purpose, leadership, and program are unchanged.

    We launched our schools using college-centric language like Collegiate, Preparatory, and Academy because we wanted to model other high-performing, college-preparatory schools. While we've grown and established our reputation as one of the highest-performing free, public charter school networks in the state, our mission -- transforming lives and our communities through the power of education -- has shaped every decision we've made. Our vision, purpose, leadership, and program, including a rigorous preparation for college, remain the same.

  • We merged our four schools into one district last year under the name of our west-side elementary school -- United Preparatory Academy. Our 2023-24 report card results are listed under United Preparatory Academy and can be found HERE.

    Next year, and every year after, you can find our report card under our district name -- United Schools Columbus.