From Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor and Founder & Board Chair of LEAP Academy University Charter School, Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago

For Latino and African-American students, higher education has a profound impact on both the individual and society. Today, individuals with a Bachelor‘s degree earn, on average, twice that of high school graduates, while those with professional degrees earn twice what individuals with a Bachelor’s earn. Thus the demand for post-secondary education has increased greatly over the past several decades, with enrollments up ten-fold since the mid 1900’s to approximately 14 million.

At a time when the world economy is doing so poorly, when the world is turning outside down because families do not have enough to pay their bills, a college education is an investment in which our children will see positive long-term returns. Therefore, is it critical for our LEAP high school students to stay in school and attend college as their first option, since this is the only way out of poverty and the gateway to economic prosperity. At LEAP Academy our 100% college placement shows that our children are willing, resilient, capable, and committed to the high standards set for them. It shows that our teachers, staff, and parents understand the sense of urgency of getting our children educationally prepared for the new challenges ahead.

Let’s stay the course and keep focus on our academic achievement.