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Schools of Choice Invited to Perform in Washington, DC at CER's 10th Anniversary Gala
CER Press Release
October 24,2003
Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, has announced today that the "Purple Pride" bell ringers of Autism Academy of Learning, Maumee, Ohio and the String and Rhythm Orchestra of the KIPP Academy, Bronx, New York, have been named the winners of the "Be True to Your School" musical talent competition and will perform in Washington, DC at CER's upcoming 10th Anniversary Gala Celebration on October 29th. CER invited interested schools to send in tapes of their performances - schools from across the nation responded from as far away as Alaska and California. In all, schools from 17 states participated.  Representing the Autism Academy of Learning will be the "Purple Pride," a group of nine student bell ringers from the school's Purple Room. The students range in age from 9-14 years. The Autism Academy of Learning was established as a charter school in August 2001 to serve students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are currently 41 students enrolled with a waiting list of more than 60. The school was founded to fill a need in the community and to supplement another program that served younger students. The school was designed so the students could age with the program. All of the students enrolled are on IEPs and the school offers both parent and sibling support groups. Upon learning that their bid to come to Washington was successful, one student said in amazement that his "own brother was envious of him." Shawn Wendel, the school's Operations Administrator, said the students and the parents are all very excited to be coming to Washington. She said, "it's a great opportunity for our kids."  KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is a middle school that was chartered in 2000 in Bronx, NY. Last year, the 2002-2003 school year, marked the sixth consecutive year that KIPP Academy has been the highest performing public middle school in the Bronx in reading, math scores and attendance (the school operated as a district school prior to gaining charter status). For the second consecutive year, KIPP ranks in the top 10 percent of all New York City public schools. CER will host 60 of the full String and Rhythm Orchestra that has a complement of 180 members. They have played Carnegie Hall, the Inaugural Ceremonies for NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in numerous other venues, and before notables of the pop music world. They are also scheduled to perform at the Apollo Theater in March 2004. According to the school, what makes this all more impressive is that less than one percent of the 450 students who have attended KIPP played an instrument prior to entering KIPP Academy. Learn more about KIPP at www.kipp.org. In addition to Autism Academy of Learning and the KIPP Academy, other contest participants included: # # # CER Marks A Decade of Education Reform Advances at 10th Anniversary Celebrations CER's 10th Anniversary Sponsors! # # # The Center for Education Reform is the leading authority for information on innovative reforms in education and works in states and communities across the country to advance the cause of educational excellence. CER celebrates its 10th Anniversary this October. For more information, contact CER at (202) 822-9000 or send us email.
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