FAQ

KIPP began in 1994 when two teachers, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, launched a fifth-grade public school program in inner-city Houston, TX, after completing their commitment to Teach For America. In 1995, Feinberg established KIPP Academy Middle School in Houston, while Levin returned home to New York City to establish KIPP Academy Middle School in the South Bronx. These two original KIPP Academies quickly became among the highest performing public schools in their communities.

In 2000, Feinberg and Levin partnered with Doris and Don Fisher, the founders of The Gap, to establish the KIPP Foundation, focused on replicating the success of the original KIPP Academies on a national scale.

Charter schools are publicly funded, independently operated schools that are allowed to operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability. Some charter schools are stand-alone institutions, while others operate as part of larger school networks. Every charter school has an authorizer which, subject to state law, may be a local school or state board, local university, or other entity. Authorizers are responsible for holding charter schools accountable for compliance with their operating agreements (“charters”).

Like all public schools, charter schools are:

• Tuition-free and open-enrollment
• Non-sectarian and non-discriminatory
• Funded primarily through a combination of federal, state and local tax dollars
• Held to state and federal academic standards

KIPP schools follow the same state and federal curriculum standards as other public schools. Each KIPP region operates autonomously, so teachers and principals have the freedom to adapt the curriculum to create customized, innovative lessons that best meet students’ needs. With its extended school day, there is more time for rich learning experiences, extracurricular activities, and field lessons.

The 2010 Mathematica report concluded that KIPP schools typically have a positive, statistically significant, and educationally substantial impact on student achievement.

Over a three-year period, researchers found that academic impacts were equivalent to 1.2 and 0.9 years of additional instruction in math and reading, respective

According to U.S. Census data, only 30 percent of all Americans aged 25-29 have earned a four-year college degree. For students whose families are in the bottom economic quartile, only 8 percent hold a four-year college degree by their mid-20s.

By contrast, 43 percent of KIPP students who finished eighth grade at KIPP ten or more years ago have completed a four-year college degree. This rate is higher than the average for all students across all income levels nationwide, and five times the college completion rate of students from low-income communities.

There is no application or selection process to enroll at KIPP. Any student can attend a local KIPP school, as long as they meet the residency requirements of the local school district and there is space available at their grade level.

Each school holds a random lottery to determine admission if the number of student applicants is greater than the number of spaces available. All students who apply after the date of the lottery are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, regardless of socioeconomic background or academic record.

KIPP teachers are the heart and soul of KIPP schools. KIPP teachers are a diverse group, including experienced teachers who have worked in schools serving underserved students, new teachers who are just beginning their careers and career changers who are entering the classroom after succeeding in another profession.

The primary requirement for teaching at one of our schools is a core belief that every child can succeed and that the collective team will do whatever it takes to help each and every student develop the character and academic skills necessary for them to lead choice-filled lives. In addition, our schools comply with all  applicable state and federal laws and state certification requirements, and candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Because KIPP Delta Public School is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.  You can learn more by visiting our Donate page.

As public charter schools, we are primarily funded through a combination of federal, state, and local dollars with state funding representing the majority of our public funding. Charter schools receive less public funding than traditional district schools which requires us to raise funds from private sources to provide and robust and well-rounded education.

Yes, students at each of our schools are required to wear uniforms each day.

No. All KIPP schools are free, public charter schools.