Ninety-five percent of the Preuss School UCSD Class of 2010 were admitted to a wide variety of prestigious four-year universities, garnering $2 million in private scholarships and grants, including two Gates Millennium Scholars. The Class of 2011 is posting similar successes.

Twelve seniors at the Preuss School UCSD — a charter middle and high school for motivated, low-income students — have been named as finalists in the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholars Program, a national competition that annually awards “good through graduation” scholarships to 1,000 talented students nationwide for use at any college or university of their choice. This is the largest number of finalists ever at the Preuss School.

Students are judged on their academic achievement, community service and leadership potential. In addition, Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with personal and professional development guidance throughout their college careers. Winners will be notified by May 1.

“We are so proud of these 12 fantastic seniors and can’t wait to see what they achieve next as they go on to become the first in their families to graduate from college,” said Scott Barton, principal of the Preuss School. “Every single student in our school comes from difficult economic circumstances,” Barton continued. “The fact that 95 percent of our graduates are accepted to four-year universities speaks volumes about the teachers, students, staff and enrichment programs at Preuss. It also speaks volumes about the importance of the private donor support we receive,” he said.

The Preuss School UCSD was recently named a National Distinguished School by the California Department of Education and was reaccredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In 2010, the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It was also ranked 16th among America’s top 100 high schools by Newsweek and was the only California school in the top 20.

On May 14, the Preuss School UCSD will present “A World of Possibilities,” its ninth annual benefit celebration, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine. Individual tickets are $200. For information call (858) 534-1404 or email mlapthorn@ucsd.edu. Visit http://preuss.ucsd.edu for more about the school and for other giving opportunities.