Schools Like Urban Prep May Be Black Male's Saving Grace

More than six of every ten African-American boys will not graduate from public high school in Chicago, but at a high school in one of city’s poorest neighborhoods, every single black student is headed to college.  Urban Prep Charter Academy is a charter school in Chicago that serves young black men and serves them very well.

George S. Huff Jr., the assistant director of college counseling at Urban Prep Academies in Chicago, stated that the mission of Urban Prep is to provide a comprehensive, high-quality college preparatory education to young men that results in graduates succeeding in college.  The school stresses community service, discipline, and pride in oneself.
Urban Prep students have defied the odds by not falling into the trap of negative stereotypes and low expectations. Instead, Urban Prep students believe in their potential and believe in their ability to exceed that potential.  I applaud Urban Prep -- they are doing amazing work for an under-served population. They should be celebrated, and we all should study at their successes for what we can learn from their story.