KIPP St. Louis teen makes history with early decision admission to Washington University on a full ride

ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis high school senior is transforming a second-grade dream into a history-making reality.

Ivan Wilson III, a 17-year-old at KIPP St. Louis High School, has officially secured his spot at Washington University in St. Louis. The achievement is a milestone for both the student and the campus, as Wilson is the first student in the school’s history to receive Early Decision admission to the university on a full-ride scholarship.

The news was delivered in person when university representatives surprised Wilson at school to share the life-changing decision.

“I was speechless,” Wilson said. “I didn’t know what to say,” he said before smiling with pride. “Oh, that’s a good memory.”

Wilson’s resume is one of consistent excellence. He has maintained the number one rank in his class since his freshman year and holds a 4.33 GPA. He also broke the KIPP St. Louis record for the highest ACT score with a 30. Outside of the classroom, he serves as the Senior Class Treasurer and leads as a captain of the wrestling team.

For Wilson, the path to Wash U began over a decade ago when he was a student at KIPP Victory. During a second-grade campus visit, his class was named after the university to encourage early college aspirations.

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