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FAQ

In 2000, Doris and Don Fisher created the KIPP Foundation to grow the KIPP network by training outstanding school leaders to open and operate KIPP schools. Since 1994, KIPP has grown from two teachers in a single classroom to more than 2,000 teachers serving more than 33,000 kids in 109 schools across the country. The KIPP Foundation, through its KIPP School Leadership Programs, has recruited and trained more than 100 KIPP school leaders to open new KIPP schools or succeed founding school leaders.

Beyond recruiting and training new school leaders, the KIPP Foundation is responsible for supporting excellence and sustainability across the network and leading network-wide innovation efforts to leverage our growing scale. The KIPP Foundation provides a variety of supports and services to KIPP schools and regions in areas such as legal support, real estate, technology, finance, corporate governance, operations, communications, marketing, and development.

The KIPP Foundation does not manage KIPP schools. Each KIPP school is run by a KIPP-trained school leader and governed by a local board of directors, and charters are held by a local 501(c)3.

Our Mission:

To create a respected, influential, and national network of public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond.

In December 2005, Richard Barth was named CEO of the KIPP Foundation and aimed to expand the KIPP network to 97 schools serving 24,000 students by the 2010-11 school year. With hard work, KIPP exceeded this objective, growing to 99 schools serving more than 26,000 students by the fall of 2010. Moving forward under Barth's leadership, KIPP has identified a new set of imperatives with the aim to serve more than 55,000 students and 10,000 alumni by the fall of 2015. These imperatives support our fundamental commitment to deliver on the promises we make to KIPP students and their families.

Learn more about how our efforts to achieve our mission drive the ways in which we provide support to our schools.

Our Vision:

Our vision is that, one day, all public schools will help children develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits necessary to achieve their dreams while making the world a better place.

Since our inception, KIPP has focused on helping students in underserved communities climb the mountain to and through college. With college graduates today earning twice the salary of high school graduates, obtaining a college degree has never mattered more. KIPP believes that K-12 public schools today are preparing far too few low-income and students of color for college and careers. Yet there is a prevailing assumption that children in underserved communities cannot achieve at high levels, and that schools cannot empower students with life-changing opportunities.

At KIPP, we are challenging this assumption in two ways: first, by transforming the lives of the students we serve in our growing network of schools; and second, by inspiring others to reconsider what is possible in public education.

As we continue to grow strategically and achieve density in our cities around the country, we hope to inspire others to consider the approach that has made KIPP successful.

Our Values:

Sense of Purpose. We are inspired to fulfill a mission larger than ourselves. We are a place for people who enjoy the roles we play in service to our schools and regions.

Results. We work hard to deliver supports and services that are truly valuable to our schools and regions and the kids they serve. We are resilient, persisting through obstacles and collaborating across teams in pursuit of solutions.

Respect. We appreciate all who are engaged in this challenging work and treat others as we would like to be treated.

Constant Learning and Humility. We seek out and expect regular, constructive feedback, keeping in mind the limitations of our own experiences. We recognize that compelling research, data, and personal experience offers us the opportunity to change our practices to best serve our children.

Diversity and Inclusivity. We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or racial backgrounds of our students.