IL HJR0016

Congratulates the 107 graduates of Urban Prep Academy for Young Men in Chicago's Englewood community for graduating high school and gaining college acceptance to 72 colleges nationwide.

Recognizes Urban Prep Academy as an all-male, all-Black charter school founded in 2002 by Tim King and other education and civic leaders, with schools opened in Englewood (2006), East Garfield Park (2009), and South Shore (2010).

Highlights that only 4% of graduates could read at grade level upon entering as freshmen and 82% came from low-income families, yet all 107 were accepted to college through intensive support including assigned college counselors and double English periods.

Notes students spent 72,000 more minutes in classroom instruction than peers at regular Chicago public schools and visited Northwestern University as part of college preparation efforts.

Directs presentation of a suitable copy of the resolution to the academy's principal on behalf of the graduates as a symbol of state esteem and respect.