KIPP Blytheville holds "College Night"

Students and families of KIPP Blytheville gathered for the first KIPP Blytheville College Night to learn about college admissions and to set up college savings accounts.

Amy Charpentier, KIPP through counselor at KIPP Delta Collegiate in Helena, presented information to families about what colleges are looking for in terms of ACT scores, GPAs and extra-curricular activities.

Charpentier shared the stories of some of the Class of 2010 who graduated from KIPP last year and are now freshmen at colleges such as Bennett College for Women in North Carolina, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Hendrix College in Conway and Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.

Charpentier also shared the rising costs of colleges and encouraged families to sign up for 529 Educational Savings Accounts. The earlier students start sharing, the more prepared they will be to meet the financial demands of college. In addition, many KIPP students are eligible for matching grants from the state of Arkansas.

The evening was a big success and many families put aside money for when their student goes to college in 2018.