KIPP History

KIPP began in 1994 when two teachers, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, launched a fifth-grade public school program in inner-city Houston, TX, after completing their commitment to Teach For America. In 1995, Feinberg remained in Houston to lead KIPP Academy Middle School, and Levin returned home to New York City to establish KIPP Academy in the South Bronx. These two original KIPP Academies became the starting place for a growing network of schools that are transforming the lives of students in under-resourced communities, and redefining the notion of what is possible in public education.

Since their founding, the two original KIPP Academies have sustained track records of high student achievement. While less than one in five low-income students attends college nationally, KIPP's college matriculation rate stands at more than 85 percent for students who complete the eighth grade at KIPP. More than 90 percent of KIPP alumni go on to college-preparatory high schools; collectively, they have earned millions of dollars in scholarships and financial aid since 2000.

As we teach our KIPPsters, we are not successful because of who we are; we are successful because of what we do, and what we do is have both our students and faculty work harder and behave nicer than what others expect. Actions speak louder than words: we are in school from 7:25 am to 5:00 pm.

To learn more about KIPP, please visit www.kipp.org.