Two New Orleans high schools celebrate 100% college acceptance rate

Two high schools in New Orleans are celebrating historic graduations, with every member of the classes accepted into a college or university.

All 100 graduates of the all-Black boys school St. Augustine High School will continue to higher education, with a combined total of $9.2 million in scholarship awards. St. Mary’s Academy is celebrating the 20th year that graduates achieved a 100% acceptance rate, with $5.6 million in combined scholarships across a class of just 19 graduates.

“I felt proud about that because young Black men, people usually doubt us and I just appreciate all the money and scholarships,” St. Augustine graduate Tre’Kevin Ellis said. “Everyone worked so hard for it fighting adversity with COVID and Ida.”

Ellis accepted a full scholarship to LSU where he plans to major in pre-med biology.

A proud mother of one of the graduates posted on Twitter to share the celebration with the world.

“It’s late, but I don’t care. The world deserves to see this Black boy joy,” the tweet reads. “Congratulations to THE St. Augustine High School class of 2022. 100% college acceptance. $9.2M in scholarships. Straight out of the 7th ward of New Orleans.”

It’s late but I don’t care. The world deserves to see this black boy joy. Congratulations to THE St. Augustine High School class of 2022. 100% college acceptance. $9.2M in scholarships. Straight out of the 7th ward of New Orleans. Let that make headlines! Dance! 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/ZO9GdfMceI

— ⚜Jeaux⚜ (@Kay_Jeaux) May 19, 2022