Emerson Preparatory School (also known as Emerson Prep) is a small private high school in Northwest Washington, DC, founded in 1852 as the Emerson Institute. It is Washington's oldest co-ed college preparatory school. A student can typically complete an entire four-year high school education in two and a half to three years at Emerson. The school is located at 1324 18th Street NW, near Dupont Circle and Embassy Row. Most students ride the Metro to and from school. Emerson has occupied its present location since 1937.