More than 1,000 parents, educators, students and supporters packed the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College on May 14 as 85 seniors from Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School announced their college decisions during the school’s annual signing day celebration.
The ceremony marked another milestone for the Class of 2026, with every graduating senior earning acceptance to college. Students revealed plans to attend schools including Cornell University, Howard University, George Washington University, Villanova University and University of Miami.
School administrators described the event as a reflection of the network’s college-focused culture, with younger students, some as young as second grade, filling the audience to cheer on the graduating class.
“Today, we celebrate everything our scholars have worked toward — not just college admission, but the belief that they belong in any room, at any institution. Watching our 85 seniors walk across that stage, with younger scholars cheering them on, showed us that our college-first culture is alive and thriving in every grade. This is what opportunity looks like for every student,” said Karen Johnson, chief executive officer at Coney Island Preparatory Public Charter School.
Nearly 80% of the seniors are the first in their families to attend college, while about 90% come from low-income households. Many students received admission offers with little or no expected financial burden, and the network reported a median out-of-pocket college cost of $0 for graduates.
Among students expected to enroll this fall, 84% plan to attend four-year colleges and 16% will enroll at two-year institutions.
“What CIP does is special. They create a community of love. As a parent, I have always felt seen and supported. They have an urgency to ensure our young people have access to everything they need. I wish every New York City student had that level of support,” said Sa’uda K. Dunlap, parent of a Class of 2026 scholar.
Coney Island Prep also pointed to its long-term alumni support system, which includes college counseling, campus visits and mentorship after graduation.
Students have achieved an 80% college graduation rate over the past three years, compared with 11% nationally for students from similar socioeconomic backgrounds.
The celebration closed on a note of momentum and pride, as seniors stepped into their next chapter with the cheers of younger scholars behind them and a school community that has become a launchpad for what comes next.
