KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Schools

KIPP is a national network of public charter schools operating at elementary, middle, and high school levels. The KIPP approach emphasizes rigorous academics and character instruction with the goal of preparing students to succeed in college and beyond. The program is distinguished by seven key principles including: belief that all students can learn and achieve, focus on college graduation, emphasis on rigorous academics while developing student character, belief in visionary empowered leaders, belief in excellent teachers, empowered leaders and teachers leveraging existing knowledge, and focus on continuous learning and improvement. KIPP schools have open enrollment policies but students must choose to apply and enroll. The network expanded significantly during the study period, growing from 59 middle schools in 2011 to 162 schools (elementary, middle, and high) serving 59,495 students by 2014-2015. The study evaluated KIPP's impacts as the network scaled up under a five-year $50 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant, with goals to train 1,000 leaders, increase school openings by 50%, and serve 50,000 students by the end of the grant period.