Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited students at Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy-Englewood to celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduating seniors at all of the Urban Prep campuses. This year, seniors from Urban Prep’s Englewood and West Campuses and the inaugural graduating class from its Bronzeville Campus – all African-American males – were admitted to more than 185 colleges and universities across the country, received $11 million in college grants and scholarships and had 11 Gates Millennium Scholarship finalists.

“The young men of Urban Prep are continually raising the standard of academic excellence,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The students graduating today serve as proof that with strong will and commitment, every child can achieve their dream of graduating high school, getting into and through college, and leading a successful life.”

The 240 seniors graduating from Urban Prep this year, have been accepted to more than 185 four-year colleges and universities across the nation, including: Cornell University, Florida A & M University, Georgetown University, Grinnell College, Howard University, Morehouse College, Syracuse University, Tufts University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Virginia. This year, for the first time, Urban Prep seniors have also been admitted to Colgate University, Emory University, the University of Michigan, Williams College, and the United States Military Academy (West Point).

“Urban Prep’s record college acceptance, enrolment, and persistence rates demonstrate that we’re changing the educational landscape for young Black males,” said Tim King, Urban Prep Academies’ Founder and CEO, “I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplished young men, and I see bright futures ahead of each and every one of them.”

The theme of the event was “Our Brother’s Keeper,” showcasing the alignment of Urban Prep’s success and mission to provide a high-quality and comprehensive college-preparatory education to students with President Barack Obama’s recently-launched “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to increase opportunities for young African-American men.

Urban Prep is the country’s first network of charter public high schools for boys. Since accepting its first class in the fall of 2006, Urban Prep has been recognized internationally for success in improving the academic, social, and emotional development of urban young men.

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Photo caption: Mayor Emanuel Celebrates with Urban Prep Academy Class of 2014
Photo credit: Brooke Collins, City of Chicago.