KIPP NYC celebrated its senior class Thursday as 245 graduates will be heading off to top colleges and universities in the fall.

It was a tough year dealing with COVID-19 and remote learning, but guidance counselors got creative.

News 12 spoke to two seniors who are getting ready to head off to college about their experience.

"I will be going to Skidmore College in the fall, I am super excited," said senior Leahna Linares. "It is super empowering to have a school that is helping us not only prepare us for college but beyond that, our careers."

"I am heading to Lawrence University in Appleton Wisconsin in the fall, and I am super excited about it. A lot of people aren't given the opportunities that like I was given such as the scholarship program and even, you know, the decency of a decent college counselor. By the way the college counselors rock. They are the best. You know, it just kind of makes me wonder like how could these opportunities be available for everyone else," said senior Gregory Hamilton.

The director of college counseling at KIPP NYC said they are extremely proud of what the 2021 class has been able to accomplish.