ITT Educational Services, Inc. Contributes $125,000 to SPARK Elementary School and Newark Public Schools to Assist Space Sharing Efforts

CARMEL, Ind., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ITT Educational Services, Inc. (NYSE: ESI), a leading provider of technology-oriented postsecondary degree programs, today announced that is has made a $125,000 contribution to SPARK Elementary School, which is part of the TEAM Charter Schools network, in Newark, N.J.

SPARK Elementary School currently offers kindergarten through second grade and serves over 300 students. The school is located in a facility shared with George Washington Carver Elementary School and the Bruce Street School for the Deaf.

ITT/ESI's contribution to SPARK will be used to purchase and install 12 air-conditioning units for George Washington Carver Elementary and the Bruce Street School. The funds will also be used to construct a new parking lot for the teachers at all three schools.

"We are excited about making an investment in the children of Newark," said ITT/ESI Chairman and CEO, Kevin Modany. "We support the TEAM Charter Schools and Newark Public School District partnership and, especially, the combined public and private efforts to improve educational opportunities for children."

"We are increasing our investment in New Jersey by expanding the higher education opportunities to the state's residents through our new ITT Technical Institute campus in Marlton, N.J.," continued Modany.

Classes at the ITT Technical Institute in Marlton began this month.

"We are unbelievably thankful for this investment. It has allowed us to jump-start a partnership between our schools – two district, one charter – to ensure that every child in the George Washington Carver/Bruce Street building has access to a bright, safe, and comfortable classroom and that every teacher has access to safe parking close to the school," said Joanna Belcher, SPARK School Leader.

"We believe the schools will benefit from co-locating by being able to learn from each other. This grant will help us have the camaraderie and equal footing necessary to facilitate such relationships," said Ryan Hill, Executive Director of TEAM Schools.

TEAM, part of the national network of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) schools, is a growing network of schools in Newark, N.J., proving that students of all backgrounds can succeed in school.

About ITT Educational Services, Inc.

ITT Educational Services, Inc. (NYSE: ESI) provides accredited, technology-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its ITT Technical Institutes and Daniel Webster College to help students develop skills and knowledge that they can use to pursue career opportunities in a variety of fields. Headquartered in Carmel, IN, it has been actively involved in the higher education community since 1969 and can be found online at www.ittesi.com.

About TEAM Charter Schools

TEAM Schools is a growing network of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) schools in Newark, New Jersey providing students with a rigorous, college-prep education. TEAM's four schools currently serve more than 1,500 African American and Latino students.  90% of our founding class went off to college and 96% of this year's graduates from our high school are going to college this fall.  TEAM has achieved this success while continuing to serve the students who need us most: 85% percent of our student body qualifies for free/reduced meals and 14% of students have special needs. Most of our students enter our schools below grade level in reading and math, but in a few short years, they prove that their zip codes do not determine their destinies, achieving at levels that outpace their peers in Newark and across the state. TEAM will continue to serve more students each year and grow to serve 10% of all Newark students in a K-12 network.

More information can be found at www.teamschools.org.

About KIPP Schools

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 109 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 32,000 students. To learn more, visit www.kipp.org.

SOURCE ITT Educational Services, Inc.