[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO KIPP UJIMA VILLAGE ACADEMY EIGHTH GRADERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the eighth 
graders at KIPP Ujima Village Academy, a top performing middle school 
in northwest Baltimore. KIPP is an acronym for Knowledge is Power 
Program and is part of a network of free college-preparatory public 
schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States. 
Established in the summer of 2002 in Baltimore, these eighth graders at 
KIPP are recognized as the first graduating class at this outstanding 
school.
  These students have spent the past 4 years completing a rigorous 
program. The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. They 
also participate in a mandatory 3-week summer program and attend 
educational activities on Saturdays throughout the school year.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that these students and their families 
face challenges, with more than 87 percent qualifying for free or 
reduced-price lunches. Yet, there are no entrance requirements or 
selection criteria. The students are chosen through a lottery of all 
students who live in the zone and want to attend the school.
  The results, though, are remarkable: Students excel academically, 
develop confidence and leadership skills, and experience the world 
through local and out-of-State field lessons. And after 4 years at 
KIPP, many of these students have earned acceptance to competitive 
college preparatory high schools throughout Maryland. In fact, KIPP 
Ujima Village Academy has one of only two Baltimore City public middle 
schools that achieved Adequate Yearly Progress in 2005.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with me in 
recognizing the KIPP Ujima Village Academy eighth graders on their 
graduation and in wishing them the best of luck in the future.

                          ____________________