IL HR1342

Congratulates the 107 graduates of Urban Prep Academy for Young Men in Chicago's Englewood community for graduating high school and gaining college acceptance.

Recognizes Urban Prep Academies as a non-profit founded in 2002 that operates all-male, all-black charter schools with a college preparatory mission; opened first school in 2006, second in 2009, and planned third school in South Shore for 2010.

Documents that 82% of the 107 graduating seniors came from low-income families and only 4% could read at grade level as freshmen, yet all 107 were accepted into 72 colleges nationwide.

Highlights the academy's college preparation strategies including assigning each student a college counselor before freshman year, double periods of English, 72,000 additional classroom minutes compared to regular Chicago public schools, and university visits.

Authorizes presentation of a suitable copy of the resolution to the 107 graduates as a symbol of the Illinois House of Representatives' esteem and respect.