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L.A. Unified's Top Charter High School for African-American Students Holds Second Graduation

Posted on: Thursday, 12 June 2008, 15:00 CDT

ICEF Public Schools' View Park Preparatory Charter High School will hold its graduation ceremony this Thursday, granting diplomas to all 67 students from its second graduating class. L.A. City Councilman Bernard Parks will serve as the graduation ceremony keynote speaker.

For the second straight year, every single one of View Park Prep's graduates from its entirely African-American senior class was accepted to a college or four-year university. Perhaps most importantly, none of the students who began their ninth grade at View Park Prep -- which boasts a rigorous academic program -- dropped out of high school.

A recent study released this week highlighted View Park Prep's achievement, particularly among students who historically have struggled most at traditional Los Angeles public schools. Out of all of L.A. Unified's charter high schools, View Park Prep most significantly outperforms its nearby high schools serving predominantly African-American students, according to the report.

"In an area of Los Angeles where more than half the kids who start in the ninth grade drop out rather than graduate, the success of our second graduating class affirms the importance of our high-quality program, excellent teachers and a supportive environment," said Michael D. Piscal, founder of ICEF Public Schools. "Our graduates are testament to the fact that if you nurture students, support them and believe in them, they can overcome challenges, meet high standards and excel academically."

"These students have defied the odds," Piscal said. "Their hard work has paid off and there is no limit to their future potential."

Fifty-eight graduates were accepted to four-year universities, with 47 already enrolled in one. One student opted to enter the Air Force, with the remaining graduates enrolling in community college this fall. In all, 37 seniors were admitted to a UC or a Cal State University, with 11 seniors admitted to UC Berkeley and seven seniors admitted to UCLA. Two graduates will be attending USC this fall, with one graduate heading to Stanford.

ICEF Public Schools will honor 20 students during the graduation ceremony with college scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000.

 WHO:      View Park Preparatory High School (ICEF Public Schools) WHAT:     Graduation Ceremony WHEN:     Thursday, June 12 at 1:00 p.m. WHERE:    Faithful Central Church           Tabernacle Room           321 N. Eucalyptus Ave.           Inglewood, CA 90302 

About ICEF Public Schools

ICEF Public Schools (The Inner City Education Foundation) was founded in 1994 to transform the Los Angeles community by creating first-rate educational opportunities for its minority youth. ICEF currently operates nine public charter schools, including four new schools which opened this fall, with the goal of preparing its students to attend and compete academically at the top colleges and universities in the nation. ICEF's flagship school, View Park Preparatory Charter High School, opened in 2003 and graduated its first class last June with 100 percent of its graduates currently attending college.

 CONTACT: Naush Boghossian Larson Communications  (818) 209-2787  Corri Tate Ravare Senior Vice President ICEF Public Schools (323) 290-6906  

SOURCE: ICEF Public Schools

Source: MARKET WIRE

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