Orientation Day at Stanford, Graduation Day at UC Berkeley

Community Leader and Activist Dolores Huerta honors Richmond Leadership Public Schools First Graduating Class

Berkeley, CA – June 7, 2007 – Leadership Public Schools (LPS) will hold commencement ceremonies for its first graduating class on Sunday, June 10 at 2 p.m. The ceremony will be hosted at Wheeler Hall on the UC Berkeley campus, a location selected to reflect the LPS commitment to achieving college-readiness for its students. Community leader and activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Worker's Union with Cesar Chavez, will deliver the keynote address. Ms. Huerta’s leadership qualities, commitment to social justice and contributions to her community are reflective of the LPS vision for all its students.

“We have 97% of our graduating seniors accepted into college, more than double the rate of college-ready high school students in California. The LPS Richmond graduating students are proof of the hugely positive difference LPS has made in the community. Especially since 62% of our students are first generation college bound,” said Mark Kushner, Founder and CEO of Leadership Public Schools.

Founded in 2002, Leadership Public Schools is dedicated to improving public education in California – especially among some of the state's most underserved neighborhoods – by creating a sustainable system of new public charter high schools. LPS schools emphasize small, personalized learning environments and rigorous curriculum designed to develop leadership skills and prepare every student for college.

Graduating senior Yesenia Bermudez said, “I chose LPS because I wanted to go to college. I am still shocked that I am going to UC Berkeley, but I am proud of all the work I put into school. It was one of the best feelings I have ever had when I got the acceptance letter.”

College-bound seniors have been accepted to several colleges in the University of California and California State University systems as well as out-of state. “I am extremely proud of our first graduating class ” said Shawn Benjamin, incoming Principal of LPS Richmond. “Our seniors and their teachers have worked diligently to achieve our mission of having over 90% of our students accepted into college. I attribute our success to the Leadership Public Schools small school model coupled with a focus on academic rigor, hard work and building leadership.”

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About Leadership Public Schools

Leadership Public Schools (LPS) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 to serve diverse students throughout California with a network of outstanding charter high schools. LPS's vision is that all students - regardless of background, ethnicity, or neighborhood - receive an excellent education that prepares them to succeed in college and improve their community. LPS currently operates schools in Richmond, Oakland, Hayward, San Jose and Campbell. Mark Kushner is Founder and CEO of Leadership Public Schools and was chair of the California Advisory Commission on Charter Schools. For more information, visit www.leadps.org .

Contact:

Diana Schneider, Communications Manager
Phone: (415) 695-0669 ext. 220
dschneider@leadps.org