Scholar Performance
Tessa was featured with her chamber group on the national radio program 'From the Top'.
The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP)
The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college preparatory public schools in low-income communities throughout the United States. There are currently 57 locally run KIPP schools in 17 states and Washington, DC, which collectively serve more than 14,000 students. KIPP schools have been widely recognized for putting underserved students on the path to college, in the processing allowing thousands of exceptional lower-income students to remain or emerge as top performers. More than 80 percent of KIPP students are low-income, and more than 90 percent are African-American or Hispanic/Latino.
KIPP’s Principles
KIPP schools provide a structured learning environment supported by high-quality teachers and built upon operating principles known as the Five Pillars. The Five Pillars include:
- High Expectations: KIPP schools set clearly defined, measurable expectations for academic achievement, attendance, and conduct.
- Choice & Commitment: Students and their parents choose to attend KIPP schools, and must make a commitment to the school and to each other to put in the effort necessary to succeed.
- More Time: KIPP schools recognize that students need more time in the classroom to master core academic skills. KIPP students are in school 60 percent more than average public school students, typically from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, every other Saturday, and for three weeks during the summer.
- Power to Lead: KIPP principals have control over their school budget and personnel, allowing them to make efficient and flexible management decisions to constantly improve the effectiveness of their schools.
- Focus on Results: KIPP schools’ teachers and administrators maintain a constant focus on student performance results, relying heavily on test results and other objective measures to ensure student progress toward the highest standards.
KIPP’s Impact: KIPP’s students experience remarkable academic results compared not only to other urban low-income students, but to all students district and statewide. KIPP students typically enter middle school performing below the 40th percentile in reading and math. After four years in KIPP schools, these same students perform, on average, at the 60th percentile in reading and the 82nd percentile in math. In the 2006-2007 school year, 100 percent of KIPP eighth grade classes outperformed their district averages in both mathematics and reading/English language arts, as measured by state exams. While the national college-going rate for low-income students is approximately 20 percent, nearly 80 percent of KIPP alumni have matriculated to college.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has partnered with the KIPP Foundation since May 2005 to support the growth of the KIPP network of schools. KIPP also nominates students for the Foundation’s Young Scholars Program.