Description
In 1994, David Levin and Michael Feinberg, two young public school teachers working in Houston, Texas, were unwilling to accept the low expectations and poor academic results that plagued the low-income students they served. Based on their own experiences teaching as well as best practices learned from highly successful veteran teachers, they designed an innovative model that would ultimately change the conversation about public education. They called the program KIPP - or the Knowledge is Power Program - and demonstrated that their teaching strategies could in fact close the achievement gap with their students. In 2007 the program was brought to Kansas City.
KIPP Endeavor Academy is now part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. KIPP Endeavor Academy opened with approximately 36 fifth grade students in 2007. Today, KIPP Endeavor is a 5th through 8th grade middle school expected to serve 300 students during the 2014-2015 school year. With longer school days, innovative teaching, and a motivating learning environment, KIPP Endeavor Academy is working to ensure all students are prepared for college and beyond.
The highly acclaimed and nationally recognized K nowledge I s P ower P rogram (KIPP) education model has proven for twenty years that the time-honored values of hard work, no excuses, and a relentless focus on results - when combined with more time in the classroom - are the right formula for overall student academic success.
KIPP Endeavor Academy welcomes students from zip codes across Kansas City and specifically focuses on bringing the opportunity for quality education to those students living in areas without access to high-performing schools. Ninety-eight percent of our students participate in the free/reduced lunch program - indicating that 97% of the families we serve have incomes ranging from at or below 130% to 185% of the federal poverty level.
KIPP Endeavor Academy’s student body grows more diverse each year. In 2014-2015, 75% of our students are African-American, 17% are Hispanic, 3% are Middle Eastern, 3% are Caucasian, 1% are Multi-racial, and 1% identify as Asian. A total of 16% of our students have been classified as English Language Learners, 12% qualify for Special Education services and 2% are currently classified as homeless.
On average, students arrive at KIPP Endeavor three years behind grade level. Through quality instruction, a culture of high expectations, and more time in the classroom, our KIPPsters prove that demography does not define destiny.
