Academy for College and Career Exploration to Graduate its First ClassMayor Dixon to give remarks; 88% of seniors accepted to college from this BCPSS “Innovation” high school

What: Academy of College and Career Exploration (ACCE) Graduation

When: Saturday, May 31, 2008, 10:00 a.m.

Where: Johns Hopkins University
              Shriver Hall
              3400 N. Charles Street
              Baltimore

Background:
ACCE (pronounced “ace”) is an “innovation” high school operated by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and The Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Policy Studies in partnership with the Baltimore City Public School System. Beginning operation in 2004, ACCE offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum within a small “learning community” where teachers know all students by name and provide them with individualized guidance and attention. Throughout their matriculation, students are exposed to a college and career-focused field of study that includes a freshman seminar on 21st Century Careers, job shadowing, field trips and junior year career-focused internships. ACCE students also participate in college prep classes and explore post secondary education through partnerships with the Baltimore City Community College, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State, Villa Julie College and many others. Engaged year-round, students participate in summer jobs and credit recovery programs. 

Mayor Sheila Dixon will give opening remarks to ACCE’s first graduating class. These 96 students have completed an individualized and rigorous academic curriculum that incorporates intensive career preparation experiences. They have also completed several unique work experiences that are tailored to their career interests. This unique curriculum and supportive environment has resulted in 100% college application rate, and an 88% college acceptance rate. This statistic is particularly impressive as students attending ACCE are not required to meet any academic entry criteria.

ACCE’s 2008 graduates will be attending several prestigious higher education institutions, such as Maryland Institute College of Art, The Johns Hopkins University, Michigan State University, Towson University, Pennsylvania State University at York, Villa Julie, and Saint Mary’s College of Maryland.

Located at 3600 W. 36th Street in Hampden for the past two years, ACCE’s success is due in large part to the support provided by many government, civic, business, philanthropic, educational and community partners including the Baltimore City Foundation, The Johns Hopkins University, the Family League, and the Young Audiences of Maryland that provides artists to teach the “careers in arts” program..