For Immediate Release: February 22, 2010
Contact: Emily Jacobs 651.917.3525

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The College Board has named Twin Cities-based nonprofit Admission Possible as one of the three winners of the first CollegeKeys Compact™ Innovation Awards. Winners of the award have initiated innovative, effective best practices that help low-income students get ready, get in and get through college.

Midwestern Regional Forum recipients of the 2010 CollegeKeys Compact Innovation Awards are Admission Possible, Stark Education Partnership in Ohio, and the University of Cincinnati.

Admission Possible operates in two metro areas – the Greater Twin Cities and Greater Milwaukee – and is currently serving 1,540 low-income high school students in 23 high schools as well as 2,200 high school program graduates pursuing college degrees. Since the program’s founding in 2000, 98 percent of its students have earned admission to college and nearly 80 percent of enrolled students are working toward their degree or have already graduated.

College Board President Gaston Caperton had high praise for recitpients of the award. “The College Board’s CollegeKeys Compact™ Innovation Award winners are to be congratulated for the difference they have made in the lives of students,” Caperton said. “Their innovative programs will serve as models so that others, by adopting these successful strategies, will be able to help more students successfully pursue a college education.”

Admission Possible Chief Operating Officer Traci Kirtley, who accepted the award in Chicago today, says the organization owes its success to the efforts of many people. “We’re excited as an organization to be recognized for our work, but the credit truly goes to the coaches and students who challenge themselves daily, and our local community, which has been so supportive.”

The Innovation Awards celebrate some of America’s most powerful efforts to improve the academic success of students from low-income backgrounds. These institutions have created best practices that can be replicated, adapted and expanded in other education settings. They can be used by educators, institutional leaders and policymakers to promote policies and practices that have far-reaching impact for low-income students who need help to get ready for, get into and get through college.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE BOARD
The College Board is a nonprofit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid and enrollment. Among its widely recognized programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), SpringBoard® and ACCUPLACER®. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.

ABOUT ADMISSION POSSIBLE
Admission Possible is a nonprofit organization founded in Minnesota in 2000 and dedicated to helping promising low-income high school students prepare for and earn admission to college by providing ACT/SAT test preparation, admissions and financial aid consulting and guidance in the transition to college. The program operates in two metro areas – the Twin Cities and Milwaukee. In 2009-10, 1,540 low-income high school students are participating in Admission Possible in 23 high schools across the two metro areas. Admission Possible’s college program currently supports 2,200 Admission Possible high school program graduates as they transition to college and pursue a degree. Since 2000, 98 percent of Admission Possible students have been admitted to college. For more information, go to www.AdmissionPossible.org.

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