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Brooklyn, KIPP Philadelphia

In her first weeks as a KIPP fifth grader, Brooklyn worried she couldn’t handle the work. Her mother pushed her to try; her teachers showed her they cared. Now, as a seventh grader, she can’t wait for school, where the day “flies by!” That’s because Brooklyn keeps busy, playing basketball, soaking up history (her favorite class), and being selected to represent KIPP Philadelphia at a national student leadership summit. And, she’s on honor roll.

“I love school,” she said. KIPP is tough, she admits, but “it’s a lot of love and support.”

Melanie, KIPP LA

Excelling in school wasn’t always simple for Melanie. Although she now attends boarding school, she grew up in south central Los Angeles where she shared a room with her mother without quiet space for homework. Between visitors and her grandmother’s TV, she battled distractions trying to study. Yet KIPP helped her focus — on her assignments and her education.

This drive led Melanie to seek help when adding and subtracting fractions stumped her in fifth grade. Melanie, now a Jack Kent Cooke scholar, embraces challenge, whether it’s cheerleading, playing soccer, or working to become an engineer or pediatrician.

“When I get confused, I take a deep breath and tell myself, ‘Melanie, you can do this!’” she says. “’Don’t give up.’”

Jay Guzman, KIPP DC

Jay relied on the support of his teachers and KIPP Through College counselors to make it through KIPP middle school in the South Bronx. Jay later graduated from Delaware State University, the first in his family to complete college. His academic achievements inspired his father to return to school.

“I probably would not have made it this far if it wasn’t for KIPP,” said Jay, a founding kindergarten teacher with KIPP DC. “They have been with me through tough times. That’s why I decided to come back — I want college to become a reality for every child in every neighborhood.” 

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KIPPster Posts on the Team & Family Blog

What Do KIPP Teachers Teach Me?

By Trina, 7^th Grade Student, KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy

My name is Trina, and I go to KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy. I’m the in the Class of 2017. I think KIPP teachers are extremely important because they teach us everything we need to know to reach our goal of climbing the mountain to college.
Read more > 

Ganas in Beijing – A KIPPster’s Adventure

By Ismael Perez, KIPP 3D Academy Class of 2009, KIPP Houston

It was cold, my nose was running, and I wasn’t thinking in English or Spanish. Literally. I, along with three of my friends, had made it to a scenic spot on the Great Wall in Badaling, located north of Beijing. I stood in awe as I viewed the rows of mountains and the endless structure of the Great Wall. This was happening to me. I was in China, and I was taking it all in. Read more >  

The Impact of KIPP Comes Full Circle

By Dominique Young, Seventh Grade Literature, KIPP NYC

From as early as I can remember, I always felt like an extremely blessed and unique child; I technically was not supposed to be here since my parents were only 13 and 14 years old when I was born. Because THEY were still being raised when I arrived, I became the product of a village effort. Everyone from grandmas, aunts and uncles, to cousins, had a hand in my upbringing. KIPP became a MAJOR part of that village when I was 10 years old. Read more >