Camden Perry transferred to The Prairie School as a fourth-grader in 2014 after a family friend recommended the pre-K through grade 12 school for its excellent academics, welcoming atmosphere and supportive student experience.

“Teachers here really push you to be your best self,” says Perry, who graduated from The Prairie School this year. During high school, she served as captain of the track team for two years and a student government representative all four years. She plans to attend Howard University next year to study to be an orthodontist. “I feel like I’m absolutely prepared to go to Washington, D.C., in the fall,” she says.

With 600 total students, The Prairie School’s class sizes average between 15 and 18 students. “The teachers are incredibly supportive,” Perry says. “They aren’t just teachers. They’re mentors. They want to see you succeed. No student is left behind.”