Leaders Who Inspire U: John Cleary, Interim CEO

What does it take to build a school system that keeps its promises? For Interim CEO John Cleary, the answer starts with a simple number: $1.

Through his long partnership with the Thompson Foundation — where he served as Vice President of Finance and Real Estate — Cleary helped make it possible for U Prep to lease every one of its modern, state-of-the-art school buildings for just one dollar a year. That's not a typo. The Thompson Foundation's extraordinary investment means the dollars that would otherwise go to facilities flow directly to scholars, programming, and the people who serve them every day.

It's the kind of behind-the-scenes work that rarely makes headlines — but it changes everything.

The Promise of 90/90
At the heart of what drives Cleary is the U Prep Promise of 90/90: a commitment that 90% of U Prep scholars will graduate and 90% will be accepted to college. When this promise was made, it was the first of its kind in Detroit. Today, it stands as a benchmark for what's possible when a school system refuses to lower its expectations.

U Prep has grown into one of Detroit's oldest and largest charter school systems — 3 districts, 10 schools, and nearly 5,000 scholars in grades K–12 — all anchored to that promise.

A Season of Growth
This spring, as scholars across U Prep sit for standardized assessments, Cleary's message to the community is one of gratitude and encouragement:

"Spring is a time for growth, renewal, and renewed focus across our school community. I want to recognize our scholars for their hard work and commitment as they take spring standardized tests, demonstrating all they have learned throughout the year. Thank you to our families and staff for your continued support in helping our students stay confident, prepared, and ready to succeed."

That's the spirit that has guided John Cleary's work for years — steady, mission-driven, and always centered on the scholars.

We are proud to have John Cleary leading University Prep Schools, and grateful for every investment — large and small — that has made this community what it is today.

This is what leadership looks like. This is a leader who inspires U.

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