IDEA Public Schools in Austin celebrated College Signing Day 2022 at the Palmer Events Center with its two graduating classes in Austin, where seniors revealed to friends and family where they decided to attend college.
Comprising more than 160 seniors, the Austin Class of 2022 has racked up well more than 800 college acceptances, according to a news release from IDEA Austin. College Signing Day is a celebration of years of hard work. Within the IDEA Austin senior class, 26% have been accepted into Tier 1 schools and more than 50% have been accepted into Tier 2 schools.
“After two years, it’s incredibly special to finally be able to celebrate College Signing Day again with our Austin seniors,” said Andrea Fernandez executive director of IDEA Austin, according to the release. “The students in this room are proving that we can do what many have thought was impossible. Keep walking towards your dreams. The entire IDEA team and family joins you in celebrating. Congratulations Class of 2022.”
What makes the school unusual is that almost 95% of its seniors will be first-generation students to attend college. Students from this year’s graduating class have accepted spots at schools including Bucknell University, Boston University, Cornell University, Brown University, University of Texas at Austin, Beloit College and St. Edwards University.
Other IDEA campuses participating in the event were IDEA Montopolis and IDEA Rundberg, which celebrated its inaugural graduating class and first College Signing Day. Special guests of the event included Collin Sewell, acting CEO and superintendent of IDEA Public Schools, Fernandez and all school principals.
“We sat on the floor seven years ago and talked about this mythical day, and here it is,” said Taylor Nichols founding principal of IDEA Rundberg, according to the news press release. “It is especially remarkable for the [IDEA Rundberg] Class of 2022, because you were the first at everything. You were the first class to graduate and many of you will be the first in your families to attend college. You are the trailblazers and this spirit will be so beneficial for you in college and beyond.”
The IDEA Academy was established in 1998 as an after school program by Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama to help address some major educational deficiencies they saw in their students. The academy focuses on promoting student achievement and college readiness. IDEA is an acronym for “Individuals Dedicated to Excellence and Achievement.”
