Description
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is on a mission to develop in underserved students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and qualities of character necessary to succeed at all levels of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and the competitive world beyond. Finishing its second decade, KIPP has become a national leader in the movement to provide all children with access to an excellent education. KIPP was founded in Houston in 1994 and has grown to 141 public schools in 20 states and DC serving nearly 50,000 children. Houston is KIPP’s largest region, with 22 public schools serving over 10,000 students and an additional 1,000 alumni in college and beyond. While only 8 percent of students from low-income communities across the nation graduate from college, KIPPsters boast a 48 percent college graduation rate, tracking from 8 th grade.
As we teach our students, there are no shortcuts on the path to college graduation. Students achieve their dreams by following two important rules: Work hard. Be nice. KIPPsters work hard by spending more time on task than many of their peers. They are in class from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and have extra learning opportunities during weekends and summers. Nevertheless, at KIPP we believe it is just as important to be nice as it is to work hard. KIPP schools develop character traits that empower students to become ethical leaders, productive citizens, and loyal friends.
