Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP)
The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) is a national network of tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools in educationally underserved communities. One of its core beliefs is that demography does not define destiny. With five middle schools and two high schools serving 2,500 students throughout the Bay Area, its “high expectations, no excuses” approach has had high impact in closing the achievement gap between affluent and low-income kids. KIPP School Leaders can achieve maximum effectiveness with the freedom to make budgetary and staffing decisions appropriate to their own schools.
An extended school day, week, and year gives KIPP students increased classroom time, while a ‘paycheck’ system is used to track academic performance and personal behavior. The KIPP Through College program provides continued support and services such as college placement, one-on-one counseling, and career advising. How successful is the KIPP approach? An impressive 86% of KIPP Bay Area Schools’ students matriculate to college, compared with an average of 40% for low-income students nationally.
