"YES, YES, YES,..."

Every Urban Prep senior is college-bound

100 percent of first senior class at all male, all African-American Englewood academy is accepted to universities

The entire senior class of 107 students at Chicago's only public all-male, all-African-American high school has been accepted to four-year colleges.


The rigorous academic environment and strict uniform policy of black blazers, red ties and khakis isn't for everyone.  Only 4 percent of this year's senior class read at grade level as freshmen, said Tim King, the school's founder and CEO.



"There were those who told me that you can't defy the data," King said. "Black boys are killed. Black boys drop out of high school. Black boys go to jail. Black boys don't go to college. Black boys don't graduate from college.

This is outstanding and should serve as inspiration to many young men but also consider the following.  YES, they are breaking barriers.  YES, they should be excited and commended for their historic achievement.  And YES, just because they are admitted, doesn't mean they will enroll or even graduate.

Therefore I challenge this group of young men not only to enroll, but graduate from a four year higher education institution as well.