The SEED Foundation, a nonprofit organization that opened the country's only urban public boarding school eight years ago in the nation's capital, is working on replicating the program in Maryland. The SEED School, which spans grades 7-12, provides a rigorous, college-prep environment for underserved students, who must take seven classes a day.

Last month, SEED officials received approval from Maryland lawmakers to create a state-financed boarding school that the foundation would manage and possibly open as early as fall 2008. They also have plans to open a second school in Washington, D.C., in fall 2009.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, The Achiever, June 2006

COLLEGE FACT

Sixty-three percent of all undergraduates enrolled in 2003-04 received some type of financial aid.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

SIGN-UP TIME FOR KEIKI STEPS TO KINDERGARTEN

What: Keiki Steps to Kindergarten, a project of INPEACE, is enrolling pupils for its free summer learning program that helps children ages 4 to 5 and their families adjust to a school setting.

When: The classes will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays about three weeks before the new public school year starts on O'ahu, the Big Island, Moloka'i and Kaua'i.

The program, now in its third year, is a partnership with INPEACE, Kamehameha Schools' Ho'omohala Kainaulu Initiative, the INPEACE SPARK Initiative and the Wai'anae Complex 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant.

Contact: Michelle Mahuka at 620-9043 on O'ahu, Lilinoe Young at (808) 959-2778 on the Big Island, or Marci Sarsona at (808) 690-8097 on Moloka'i and Kaua'i.