The Class of 2011 has been working all during Summer School on our school motto, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." One change students have identified was the look of and behavior on our buses. In order to tackle the look, 8th graders spent the three weeks of Summer School making our buses feel like "Classrooms on Wheels."

The 8th graders cleaned and made signs for the buses. During the last week of Summer School, the 8th graders introduced the newly beautified buses to all other students in grades five through seven. They also explained all new expectations for behavior on the buses to the younger students, thereby clearly making their mark as leaders at our school. The students' plan is that through beautification and new and clear expectations for behavior, all students will take ownership of the buses.

As our 33 pioneer class of eighth graders (Class of 2010) embark on the final climb of their journey to success in four year universities, most have gained acceptance into college prep high schools.

Two KIPP Austin students are attending boarding school out of state (Cate School in Carpinteria, CA; Phillips Exeter Academy, in Exeter, NH) and the other 31 are staying in Austin, attending competitive high schools such as St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, San Juan Diego Catholic High School, Liberal Arts and Science Magnet at LBJ High School and McCallum Fine Arts at McCallum High School. Over $100,000 in scholarships has been awarded to KIPP Austin students attending these competitive high schools.

The Class of 2010 underwent a rigorous, unique process that most eighth graders do not experience, one that will give them an advantage on their peers when it is time to apply to college. Their eighth grade year was comparable to that of a high school senior pursuing educational options: writing personal essays and gathering references; completing a variety of applications and testing for college prep and boarding schools; interviewing with schools and college prep boards who are scrutinizing their academic records; and making difficult choices between family members' wish that they attend their neighborhood high school as opposed to pursuing other avenues for themselves. The majority of our eighth graders will be the first in their family to attend college.

As the eighth graders transition from KIPP Austin to their chosen high school, all are participating in our KIPP to College program that will support students over the next four years, beginning with summer internships with Book People, Ballet Austin, Breakthrough, KIPP Austin, and other local businesses and non-profits.

This past June, several Class of 2010 students interned at Book People and enjoyed the experience. Book People staff were awed at the professionalism of these KIPP Austin students.

"They displayed a creativity and eagerness I found refreshing," said Topher Bradfield, Book People Outreach Coordinator. "Anyone working with Joe and April (KIPP Austin students) was struck with how respectful and diligent they were."

Special thanks to all the organizations that gave KIPP to College internships a try.

KIPP Austin College Prep has created the KIPP to College Fund to provide financial assistance to KIPP Austin students to cover the costs of attending schools following their time at KIPP. These expenses may include, but are not limited to, tuition, fees, room and board. Financial aid awards may be made to students attending high schools and/or colleges in any geographic location.

In order to receive the financial aid, a KIPP Austin student must be accepted to a private high school or an accredited college; demonstrate financial need (90% of KIPP Austin students qualify for the federal free or subsidized meals program); and exemplify the mastery of academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits needed for success in competitive high schools and colleges. A committee has been formed to award the gifts on an annual basis.

Contributions to the KIPP to College Fund can be made through the Austin Community Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the Austin Community Foundation, with a note designating the gift to the KIPP to College Fund. Send contribution to MariBen Ramsey, Associate Director & Legal Counsel, Austin Community Foundation, P.O. Box 5159, Austin, TX 78763.

KIPP Austin College Prep is pleased to announce that we are partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas to provide mentors for our students.

We hope to start this year with providing mentors for 30 students. We will then continue to expand each year with the goal of providing mentors for all 320 of our middle school students.

If you want to become a mentor or know someone who is interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters by emailing Angela Castilleja at angelaa@bbbscentraltx.org or calling 512-472-5437. Be sure to specify that you want to volunteer at KIPP Austin.

A feature article on our school director Jill Kolasinski and KIPP Austin ran in the July 21-27 issue of the Austin Business Journal (volume 26, number 18).

The article talks about Jill 's journey from teaching at KIPP in Houston in 1994, the year the program started, to the present: how she took an idea and developed it into the school she leads today. The journey was not always easy or clear but with KIPP Austin's success, she knows she is living her passion and making a difference for the children of East Austin.

The profile also talks about Jill's love of swimming and how her dedication to the sport and love for the water is a direct representation of why KIPP Austin has been successful and will continue to be the home of the hardest working students in Austin.