FAQ

1. What is KIPP Academy?
   

   KIPP Academy is a free public school serving 245 students in grades five through eight. KIPP Academy was founded in 1995 and became a New York City Department of Education charter school in 2000. Students are admitted to KIPP Academy through a lottery regardless of academic record, conduct, or socio-economic background.

   In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to serve KIPP Academy alumni in grades 9-12, and we also plan to open an elementary school (Kindergarten through 4th grade) to feed into KIPP Academy.

2. What sort of results have KIPP Academy and other KIPP NYC schools had?
   

   • On the 2007 New York State tests, 84% of KIPP Academy 8th graders scored at or above grade level in Math, as compared to 46% citywide and 22% in the district where KIPP Academy is located. In English/Language Arts, 82% of 8th graders scored at or above grade level, as compared to 42% citywide and 23% in KIPP Academy’s host district.

   • KIPP Academy’s student daily attendance rate is 98%.

   • 80% of KIPP NYC alumni are matriculating to college.

3. Where do KIPP Academy students go to high school?
   

   KIPP Academy alumni attend college-preparatory high schools in New York City and throughout the nation, and nearly 90% of our alumni are graduating from high school. Of the KIPP Academy alumni currently in high school, 53% of students are attending parochial schools, 20% are attending public schools, 14% are attending boarding schools, 7% are attending independent day schools, and 6% are attending A Better Chance community schools.

   In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to provide an additional high-quality college-preparatory option to students who complete KIPP Academy and other KIPP NYC middle schools. Because we are committed to meeting each child’s academic and personal needs, we will continue to offer a high school placement program after the KIPP NYC High School opens, and we anticipate that a quarter of our alumni will continue to enroll in private, parochial, and specialized public high schools.

4. What is the school schedule?
   

   KIPP Academy students attend school from 7:25 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7:25 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. They also attend Saturday school from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every other week as well as a three-week summer school session (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).

5. What is the school calendar?
   

   During the regular school year, KIPP Academy’s holidays and vacations generally coincide with the New York City Department of Education’s. A more detailed calendar is provided to all families in September. As noted above, summer school is mandatory for all KIPP Academy students.

6. Do the students wear uniforms to school? Do I have to pay for them?
   

   Yes. From Monday through Thursday, all students are required to wear uniforms, which consist of a KIPP Academy t-shirt and jeans. All students will be provided with one KIPP Academy shirt free of charge, and they will have the opportunity to purchase additional shirts over the summer and throughout the school year at a cost of $7 to $15 depending upon the style. Students provide their own jeans.

   On Fridays, students wear professional dress to prepare them for expectations in high school and during their careers. Specific expectations regarding professional dress are provided to students and families at the beginning of each school year.

7. Do you take ELL (English Language Learner) or special education students?
   

   Yes. KIPP Academy is open to and offers educational programming for all students, including English Language Learners and special education students. Please note that there are no self-contained bilingual education or special education classes.

8. When is summer school?
   

   The first day of school for incoming 5th graders will be Monday, July 14, 2008. For the 2008-2009 school year only, Summer School hours will be from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday from July 14 through July 25. There is no Saturday School during the summer.

9. Do you have free breakfast and lunch programs?
   

   Yes. Those students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch will receive breakfast and lunch (and an afternoon snack) as they did at their previous school.

10. Will KIPP Academy provide transportation for my child to get to and from the school?
    

    As with any public school, KIPP Academy will provide eligible students with a half-fare or full-fare MetroCard depending on how far they live from the school.

11. Where is the school?
    

    KIPP Academy is located in the South Bronx, at 250 E. 156th Street just east of the Grand Concourse. KIPP Academy is housed on the third floor of I.S. 151.

12. Whom can I contact with additional questions?
    

    Please contact Connie Owens, Office Manager, at (718) 665-3555, ext. 2000.

Lottery Process

1. How do I apply?
   

   Students are admitted to KIPP Academy by lottery. The only information needed to enter the lottery is the student’s and parents’/guardian’s name, the student’s birth date, and contact information. No test scores, demographic information, grades, recommendations, or behavioral history will be taken into consideration. In keeping with a new state law, KIPP Academy will give preference to applicants who reside within KIPP Academy’s community school district (District 7).

   The lottery is closed for the 2008-2009 school year. The application period for the 2009-10 school year will be held from January through March of 2009. More details will be available in late 2008.

2. How does the lottery work? Do I need to attend the lottery? How will I find out whether my child was selected in the lottery?
   

   KIPP Academy plans to enroll 60-70 5th graders each year, including siblings and returning students who repeat 5th grade. If the number of students who apply to attend KIPP Academy exceeds this number, as it typically does, then KIPP Academy will conduct a lottery. All students entered into the lottery will have their names drawn from a box by the principal, with an independent auditor present. Open slots will be filled in the following order of priority:

   a. Returning students (guaranteed a slot)

   b. Siblings of students already enrolled in KIPP Academy (by birth or legal adoption)

   c. Applicants who reside within KIPP Academy’s community school district (District 7)

   d. All other applicants

   You do not have to be present at the lottery for your child to be eligible to attend KIPP Academy.

   Students will be contacted by phone to discuss the expectations of the school in the order their names were drawn until all open slots are filled.

3. Do you accept applications for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders?
   

   While there will be a lottery for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, we anticipate that there will be few, if any, open seats.

4. Can I enter the lottery more than once?
   

   No. Each child may enter only once. Any duplicate applications will be taken out prior to the lottery.

5. If I entered the lottery last year and my child was put on the waiting list, do I need to enter again?
   

   Yes. There is a new lottery every year. Waiting lists do not carry over from year to year.