The Preuss School UCSD on the campus of the University of California, San Diego is home to the Midnight Mechanics. Chartered by the San Diego Unified School District in 1999 the school motivates and prepares young adults in grades 6th-12th, who are historically underrepresented on the University of California campuses, to be successful at a four year university.

All students are selected through an intensive 14 page application where they must show motivation to be challenged and succeed. 100% of the students come from low income families and will be the first to graduate from a 4 year university.

The Preuss School UCSD provides an environment where students are continually encouraged and empowered to develop a greater sense of confidence and self-worth through self-sufficiency and a sense of pride in their academic accomplishments. The school fosters a culture of high academic performance in an environment that encourages risk-taking, the art of questioning and logical and critical thinking.The School opened with 150 students in grades 6-8, and now is fully enrolled with 767 students in grades 6-12.