Being a KIPPster

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Who Are KIPP Students?

KIPP students are young people who come primarily from underserved communities across America. Because KIPP schools represent the communities they serve, KIPP students are predominately African American and Latino. Nationally, roughly 60 percent of students are African American and 35 percent are Latino, however the particular demographics vary by school.

We believe the quality of education that students receive, not their demographics, is the determining factor to success. Nationally, more than 85 percent of KIPP alumni who graduated from KIPP in eighth grade have enrolled in college, which is double that of community averages.

Get a closer look at some KIPP students and alumni through their profiles below.

  

Jason, KIPP Infinity, 5th grade student

What do you want to do when you finish school?
I want to go to college. And then for my future job, I'm thinking about becoming a scientist.

What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next 20 years?
Since I'll be a scientist, I want to discover something that no one else has discovered. I also want to help others and show them what's possible.

What is one piece of advice you would give a student thinking about enrolling in KIPP?
I'd tell them to focus on working hard and accomplishing things that they want to like getting good grades. If something seems hard, never give up, just keep going.

What is something that you have learned at your school?
I learned that sometimes it can be hard to get good grades. If you keep asking for help, you can get better, if you don't, you won't understand.

Has your school helped you grow to be the person you are today? If so, how?
I'm more determined now than I was before. I now know I need to reach towards high expectations, even if it's not easy.

Vianey, KIPP Academy New York, Class of 2000

Where do you currently attend school?
I will start in Fall '09 at Hunter College School of Social Work for graduate school.

What do you want to do when you finish school?
I want to work with children and youth as a social worker, and am more inclined to clinical social work.

What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next five years? Next 20 years?
In the next five years I want to work with children and youth as a clinical social worker and in 20 years I would like to have my Ph.D in Psychology.

What is one thing you would like to go back and tell your teachers at KIPP?
Thank you! If it had not been for their support and guidance I would had not enroll into graduate school at this point in my life.

Has KIPP helped you grow to be the person you are today? If so, how?
I strongly believe that everyone who takes part in my life helps me grow into the person I am. KIPP has been part of my life for many years now, and throughout all those years they have guided me. I don't give up easily, very few times have I given up on something, but never have I given up on my education. KIPP has never let me get off the track, even when I have experienced many difficult times. 

Aneli, KIPP Infinity, 5th grade student 

What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next five years? Next 20 years?

In the next five years, I want to have my permit (New York drivers permit). In the next 20 years, I want to have my full driver's license and to have completed college.

What is one thing you would like to tell your teachers?
I would tell them, "Thank you for always caring for us and for always being strict. ... Being strict is when you care about someone and want them to have a better future. This will help us reach high levels."

Describe a memorable moment during your time as a KIPPster?
At school, I would say the publishing parties with our writing teachers. I like those because we get to hear our teammates express themselves through writing and I get to learn more about the KIPPsters. Some [of what my teammates publish] is really serious, some is funny.

What do you think makes your school unique?
There's a lot of positive thinking, gratitude, appreciation of beauty and a lot of zest. I think zest would be the biggest one. For example, when I did chants with our principal in fifth grade math, there was a lot of zest in that room. When I sing with our choral instructor and the chorus, there's a lot of zest and happiness in the room.

What do your parents think about your school experience?
My mom loves that I'm at KIPP because she says I get a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't get at my old schools like being in performances. She loves when I bring home high test scores because they represent hard work, not only in the students but in the teachers. She thinks KIPP is the beginning of a successful life.