ATLANTA, Feb 20, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cox Communications today announced the establishment of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy (the Agassi Prep Academy), located in West Las Vegas.

The Agassi Prep Academy is one of three Cox Model Technology Schools launched in 2001, and one of eight in the nation.

"Our curriculum focuses on technology and college preparation, while introducing cultural activities and expanded involvement in community affairs," said academy Principal Wayne Tanaka. "Cox's donation of fiber has allowed us to integrate technology with innovative teaching methods."

The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy opened in August 2001. In October, Cox Communications installed a complete fiber network throughout the academy, which enables the school to receive educational Cable in the Classroom programming and provides high-speed Internet access and e-mail for school staff. In addition, each classroom is provided a telephone line through the network.

"As a Cox Model Technology School, our students now have access to information at so many levels," said Tanaka. "In many cases, our students do not have access to the Internet outside of the classroom. While at the academy, they have access to the `library of the world' via the Internet and have the opportunity to download information and photos to support their learning."

According to Tanaka, the students of the academy have also developed a sense of pride in being chosen as a Cox Model Technology School.

"Cox Communications is tremendously proud to have established a Model Technology School at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy," said Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Communications. "In the case of the Agassi Academy, our donation of fiber has allowed the school to focus on providing technology education to all students, which is one of its primary learning objectives."

The fiber network provided by Cox Communications will enable the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy to link with nearby Nevada Partners, which provides a comprehensive job training program targeting the unemployed in Southern Nevada, as well as a youth employment program to train youths age 16-21 for employment. Nevada Partners works with business, industry and government to help identify and secure job opportunities for its clients. Eventually, parents of Agassi students will be able to access the school's network at Nevada Partners, allowing them to verify class assignments, attendance records, etc.

In addition to the fiber network technology, Cox Communications provided rolling backpacks for students and teachers on the first day of school at the academy and has also donated 14 color television sets, 12 VCRs and a new refrigerator to the academy.

The ongoing partnership with the academy also includes Cox's Line to Learning and Cable in the Classroom programs, which link children to numerous distance-learning opportunities via broadband technology.

Cox was also instrumental in a recent visit of the C-SPAN Bus to the school, where students were able to learn more about government and the C-SPAN network.

    Cox is Committed to Education

Cox Communications is committed to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves and has long been viewed as the premiere leader and provider of educational technology. For more than 12 years, Cox has provided private and public schools in its service areas with complimentary cable television services via Cable in the Classroom. Today 3.5 million students in 5,600 schools receive this free programming from Cox. In 1997, Cox began providing a complimentary high-speed Internet connection and unique online events to schools via its Line to Learning program, which is based on Cox's belief in the value of a high-speed learning connection to the classroom. The award-winning Line to Learning program was created to provide complimentary cable modems and Internet access to schools in communities where the Cox network is fully upgraded. To date, Cox has installed high-speed Internet access in 750 schools in eighteen communities. Through its commercial affiliate, Cox Business Services, the company also partners with school districts, libraries and universities in its service areas to build high-bandwidth wide area networks that link students, educators, parents and the community via broadband.

    About Cox Communications

Cox Communications, a Fortune 500 company, serves approximately 6.2 million customers nationwide, making it the nation's fifth largest cable television company. A full-service provider of telecommunications products, Cox offers an array of services, including Cox Cable; advanced digital video programming services under the Cox Digital Cable brand; local and long distance telephone services under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox High Speed Internet, Road Runner and Cox Express; and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com.

CONTACT:          Cox Communications, Atlanta
                  Laura Oberhelman, 404/269-7562

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