oberlin institute faced opposition from democrats in ohio who opposed its admittance of african americans. nevertheless, in 1850 the school was granted a charter and became oberlin college. the undergraduate education program continued afterwards as a preparatory school sometimes referred to as "prep". the preparatory department was the only primary education in oberlin until the community organized a school district and eventually launched public schools. the preparatory department had an enrollment of 690 students in 1890.