Facts & FAQs

• KIPP Aspire Academy Middle School serves students in grades 5 through 8.

• KIPP University Prep High School currently serves students in 9th-10th grade.  In summer 2011, the school will expand to include an 11th grade and will add an additional grade in subsequent years until it is a full 9th-12th grade high school.

• The second KIPP San Antonio middle school, KIPP Camino Academy, opened in summer 2010 and will serve 5^th grade for the first year.  Similar to KIPP University Prep, it will add an additional grade each year until it is a full middle school serving grades 5 through 8.

• All KIPP schools are public and there are no tuition costs.

• More than 80% of students at KIPP San Antonio schools qualify for the federal free or reduced-price meals program.

• 98% of students at KIPP San Antonio schools belong to ethnic or minority groups.

What is a charter school?

Charter schools are independent public schools open to all students regardless of their prior academic record, conduct, or socioeconomic background. There are no admission tests or tuition fees. Parents and students choose to attend a particular charter school because of its unique focus, curriculum, structure, size, environment, or other features that meet the needs of those families. Charter schools receive public funds based on the number of students they enroll, as do all Texas public schools.   All KIPP schools in Texas (KIPP San Antonio, KIPP Houston, KIPP Truth - Dallas and KIPP Austin) are public charter schools.

Charter schools allow parents to choose the public schools that best meet their children’s academic needs. This choice creates competition among both public and private schools to help raise the bar and leads to improvement throughout the public education system. Charter schools exist outside the traditional district system, giving them the flexibility to develop successful new models that work. If student achievement is not improving, charter schools can make quick, effective changes like modifying curriculum or making appropriate staff changes to improve student achievement.

Currently, over 275 charter public schools operate in Texas, serving over 80,000 students.  Most of these charter schools operate in urban or inner-city areas, where many children have long been denied quality education.

What is the curriculum like at a KIPP school?

KIPP offers a rigorous, college preparatory education. Because of the longer school day, week, and year, KIPP students not only benefit from extra time in core subjects such as math and reading, but more instruction in courses such as social studies and science.

Each KIPP school (there are currently 82 KIPP schools serving over 21,000 students across the United States) operates autonomously, and therefore each principal has the freedom to design his or her own curriculum. Along with a focus on core academics, KIPP teachers also have time to include extra-curriculars such as art, music, and physical education.

One of the reasons that KIPP is successful is because of the “joy factor.” At KIPP, teachers often use techniques like singing and moving around the classroom to make lessons engaging. By making learning both relevant and fun, teachers greatly improve their ability to reach students.

KIPP schools not only try to develop better students, but also better citizens as students head off to college and life beyond. School culture is something that begins from the first day at KIPP, and is the “be nice” part of the KIPP philosophy of “Work hard. Be nice.”  KIPP measures success not only by increased test scores, but also by how students relate to the world and the kinds of citizens they become.

Who attends KIPP schools?

KIPP schools are tuition-free, open-enrollment public schools. Students are accepted regardless of background or academic record on a first-come, first-served basis. If more students apply than spaces are available, students are admitted by lottery.

KIPP opens schools in under-served communities across America. Because KIPP schools represent the communities they serve, KIPP students are predominantly African American and Hispanic. Nationally, roughly 63 percent of students are African American and 33 percent are Latino. The particular demographics vary from school to school.

Nationally, 80 percent of KIPP alumni who graduated KIPP in the eighth grade have enrolled in college, as compared to community averages of less than 20 percent.

How does KIPP share student achievement data with the general public?

At KIPP, teachers and leaders believe in transparency and accountability. The 2009 KIPP Report Card contains school-level information and test results for all KIPP schools in operation as of September 2009 with measurable student achievement results. All KIPP schools administer state accountability tests and voluntary national norm referenced exams for all grades. The 2009 Report Card provides results on these state and national exams as well as individual schools' state rankings and whether or not they made federally mandated adequate yearly progress (AYP).

Additionally, as a publicly funded school in Texas, the results of KIPP San Antonio TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) tests can be found on the Texas Education Agency website.

What is the experience and background of a typical KIPP teacher?

KIPP teachers bring a “do whatever it takes” attitude to education. Teachers typically work a ten-hour work day during the week, half days on selected Saturdays, and three weeks in the summer. They also are available via cell phone for homework help in the evening. With the extended day, KIPP teachers have extra time for lesson planning. KIPP teachers are also eligible to attend professional development conferences throughout the year organized by the KIPP Foundation.

KIPP teachers are a diverse group. Last year, there were more than 580 teachers employed at KIPP schools: 53 percent were white and 47 percent were African American, Hispanic, or Asian. The experience of KIPP teachers extends from first-year teachers to 35-year classroom veterans.

Does KIPP San Antonio require students to wear uniforms to school and to school activities?

Yes.  The uniform consists of a KIPP t-shirt or polo shirt and khaki pants.

Is bus service provided?

Yes. Bus pickups are located at various points throughout San Antonio.  Please check with each of the schools for the pickup locations. 

Are open-enrollment charter schools required to administer state achievement tests?

Yes. Open-enrollment charter schools are subject to the statewide assessment program to the same extent as other public schools.

Do you currently have space for my child? Do you have any openings?

We usually have a waiting list for admission so we encourage families to register their child as early as possible.  For more registration information, contact the main office of the campus you are interested in attending.

KIPP Aspire Academy (5^th – 8^th grade), (210) 735-7300

KIPP University Prep (9^th – 10^th grade), (210) 290-8720

KIPP Camino Academy (5^th grade for 2010-2011); (210) 279-5166

What are your school hours?

Generally speaking, our school hours are as follows.  (Each school is a little different so please check with each school for an exact schedule).

7:30 - 5:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

7:30 - 2:30 Wednesday

8:00 - 12:30 Two Saturdays a month

7:30 - 2:30 Monday – Friday during three weeks of summer school

This schedule is designed to increase time spent teaching and learning so that all students experience success in a rigorous curriculum and are prepared to attend top quality high schools and colleges. In this schedule, students spend 2 hours working on reading and language arts and almost an hour and a half in both math and science. This commitment and focus on building the knowledge and skills of each student enables all students to accelerate much faster in their learning.

All students participate in P.E. or Music each day and have an opportunity to participate in other extracurricular classes.  In 7th -10th grades, when students have demonstrated academic success in their classes, they have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities in such as soccer, band, basketball, student government, and many more.