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What Is KIPP?
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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“KIPP” stands for the Knowledge Is Power Program. It is a non-profit network of charter schools that support low-income students on their entire educational journey.
To learn about the origins and benefits of KIPP, read more below!
What does KIPP do?
KIPP’s network of 275 college-preparatory public charter schools educates elementary, middle, and high school students in low-income areas. To define the organization, we think their own mission statement best describes who and what they are:
Mission statement
“Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.”
How KIPP started
KIPP was founded in 1994 in Houston, Texas by two fifth-grade public elementary teachers with 47 students. A few years later, the KIPP Academy Middle School in the South Bronx opened. Fast forward to today, and the organization operates nearly 300 charter schools in operation across the United States.
Also see: Charter schools vs. Public schools: What you need to know
Who qualifies for KIPP?
In short, all K-12 students can attend schools in the KIPP network! As long as they live within an enrollment area, each and every student is eligible.
How can a child enroll in a KIPP public school?
KIPP schools are public charter schools, which means that they are open to all students who live within the enrollment area. All enrollment occurs at the local level. Therefore, it is best to contact the school you’re interested in directly to learn exactly what their enrollment process is. Due to high demand, blind lottery systems are typically utilized to prevent over-enrollment. There is no guarantee that the school will have a seat for you or your child, so be sure to have alternative educational plans.
Do KIPP schools have admissions requirements?
There are absolutely no admissions requirements. KIPP schools are open to all students without any kind of entrance testing. English Language Learners (ELL) and students with special education needs are welcome to apply. In fact, 18% of enrolled students are ELL, and 12% receive special education services.
Related: Charter schools vs. Private schools: What you need to know
How long is a typical KIPP school day?
KIPP schools allow more time for academics and extracurriculars in the supervision of their schools. Therefore, their schools usually have longer school days. The typical hours of a KIPP school are 7:30am until 4:00pm.
In addition, KIPP offers summer school. This allows the schools to offer art, music, and other extracurriculars without reducing the amount of time focused on academics during the typical school months.
Don’t miss: Top middle school scholarships
Are KIPP teachers specially certified?
Because certification requirements for public charter school teachers vary by state, each KIPP school follows the regulations of the particular state they are located in.
Many schools in the organization tend to look for teachers who have at least two years of experience teaching. However, some offer programs specifically for new teachers.
How are KIPP schools funded?
KIPP schools are primarily funded by local and state funding. This is because KIPP schools are public charter schools that utilize public funds such as tax dollars. In addition, KIPP raises additional funding from local donors and foundations.
What does KIPP’s curriculum look like?
KIPP schools use a rigorous and Common Core standards-based curriculum. The curriculum leads to college preparatory courses that allow students to succeed in college and beyond. While the core subjects are all taught, KIPP offers more in-depth information on their literacy and math programs as shown below. This outline of KIPP in NJ is a good example of what students will be in for with a KIPP education.
Literacy Curriculum
Literacy is taught through the Wheatley Curriculum in grades K-8. The Wheatley program involves close reading and language study, promotes independent reading, and requires daily writing. The program strives to use books that teach the history of marginalized people in their reading curriculum.
Math Curriculum
KIPP utilizes Eureka Math, a program that aligns college ready standards to the K-12 educational journey. Eureka Math presents math to students in a user-friendly way that connects them to what they are learning. Students logically work through math steps to gradually master mathematical concepts.
Frequently asked questions about KIPP schools
Is there an application fee to apply to KIPP schools?
Do KIPP schools offer extracurricular activities?
Are KIPP schools public schools?
