BALTIMORE
—
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin today toured the KIPP Ujima Village Academy, where he talked with middle school students and presented a check for $243,677 to school officials.  The funding will be used to support student programs and extended learning times.

The KIPP Ujima Village Academy opened in 2002, and now educates approximately 350 5
^th through 8
^th grade students, most of who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.  The KIPP School's mission is to prepare students for college and the competitive world.  Baltimore’s KIPP Ujima Village Academy is one of 66 KIPP schools nationally.  On a national level, 80% of KIPP alumni have matriculated to college, compared to community averages of less than 20%.

“The KIPP Ujima Village Academy is one of Baltimore City’s success stories and it is a example of what can be achieved,” said
Senator Cardin.
  “The students and staff at KIPP are committed to education and to working hard to ensure that the students get the skills they need to go to college and succeed. They should be proud of all they have accomplished.”

KIPP Ujima students attend class from 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, one Saturday a month, and three weeks in the summer.  For three consecutive years, KIPP Ujima has been the highest performing public middle school program in Baltimore City, as measured by the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) exam, despite the fact that most students enter the school performing well below grade level.  On the MSA, for three years straight KIPP Ujima's 7
^th and 8
^th graders have had the highest success rates of any school in Baltimore and some of the highest rates in the state.