History
In 2005, the McQuaid Jesuit Board of Directors initiated discussions on the potential for establishing an inner city school for economically disadvantaged students in the city of Rochester, using the Nativity middle school model that had been so successfully employed across the country. A committee was formed to begin assessing the feasibility of the project and a study was commissioned.
While originally envisioned as an all male school, further discussions led to the conclusion that a co-institutional school of boys and girls would better serve the needs of the community. Diocesan officials were contacted and permission was granted to conduct a study and pursue collaborative relationships. A community survey was conducted by the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester, and discussions were held with the leadership of local colleges and universities, the private catholic high schools, as well as key city officials. There was clear consensus on the need for alternative education programs and there was clear support for the project.
Given the desire to expand community endorsement and support for the project, discussions were held with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester which led to an agreement in early 2008 to co-sponsor the school with McQuaid Jesuit. With the endorsement and resources of these two strong leaders in the area of Catholic education in the city of Rochester, the plans for the creation of Nativity Preparatory Academy began to accelerate.The original group formed to evaluate the opportunity expanded.
A committed group of business and community leaders as well as lay and religious educators formed a Steering Committee to oversee the creation of the school. A committee structure with additional community participation was put in place. To ensure that proper planning occurred, timetables were developed, and action plans were prepared across the critical path areas of governance, finance, facility, personnel, education and curriculum development, student selection and advancement.