Urban Prep sending all seniors to college -- again

February 16, 2011 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- For the second year in a row, the entire graduating class -- 104 students -- at Urban Prep Charter School's Englewood campus has been accepted into a four-year college or university.

Urban Prep Academy is the nation's first all boys public charter high school. It is comprised entirely of African American students.

The students who recently received their college admittance letters were presented with the new stripped ties Wednesday.

"I received a couple of scholarships...Now it just feels amazing. It is all around amazing," said Matthew Williams, student.

Mason Fuller has received a full athletic scholarship to Northern Illinois University.

"I want to major in engineering, mechanical engineering in college, and then if possible go in the NFL," said Mason.

Eighteen-year-old Alfonso Henderson was accepted by 21 universities. He will receive $719,000 in scholarships. Alfonso wants to be a lawyer and is considering Harvard, Yale and Wheaton College.

"I have been praying each and every day and just asking God to show me the way," said Alfonso.

"It's so amazing what he's been doing," said Nathaniel Jones, father.

Tim King, founder Of Urban Prep Academy, says students, parents and teachers all come together to ensure the success of the young men.

"It's a huge day for us, the fact that we've been able to have 100 percent of our graduates admitted to college for the second year in a row. The majority of students come to us reading below grade level. And our jobs is to our best to work with them each and every day to accelerate them to a point when they can get into college," King said.

"The facts are the facts. These young men are going to college," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Cedric Hakeem recently rescued his laptop from a fire.

"I went into my room, got my laptop, 'cause it was New Year's Eve and most college apps are due January 1st, so if my laptop burned up, all my college essay are gone, " said Cedric, who wants to be a lawyer.

"I am so proud of my son...going to Cornell, it's about a full ride, they only want us to pay $200 a year, so it's like a full ride to me," Venita Abrams, mother.

Urban Prep now has three campuses and they want to replicate the model across the country.

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