Tiger surprises Phila. charter school

The students and teachers at one small Philadelphia charter school got a huge surprise visitor Tuesday morning: Tiger Woods.

Woods, in the area to promote his tournament in Newton Square, joined representatives of his foundation to tour the 100-student, 9th grade Kipp DuBois Collegiate Academy High School at 12th and Race.

School administrators were expecting a visit from representatives of the Tiger Woods Foundation, with whom the school is hoping to partner in the future on educational initiatives. About 20 minutes before the planned meeting, said Kipp CEO Marc Mannella, the school got a call.

"They said, 'Tiger wants to know if he can come,' " Mannella said. "If there was ever a no-brainer, this was it!"

Woods, who showed up shortly thereafter, was treated to a tour of the school by principal Aaron Bass. Woods was shown two classes that were in session, physical science and AP world history.

"The kids totally handled it," Mannella said. "When he walked in, there was that look of recognition on their faces, they whispered, then they got right back to their lessons."

Woods, for his part, asked several questions about the school and demonstrated extensive knowledge of the programs his foundation is involved in, Mannella said.

"He was totally engaged, which was cool," Mannella said. "He was very businesslike, very professional - but also very easy to talk to."

Within 20 minutes, Woods and his team were gone, on their way to a scheduled news conference in Newton Square.

"It all happened so fast," Mannella said. "We told the kids, 'Normally we watch what Tiger does. Well, he was so impressed by what you are doing that he wanted to watch you!' "

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