KIPP Rales Scholars Program Created to Build Extraordinary Community of KIPP Graduates

$60,000 award per student will provide direct support and special programming 

 

October 1, New York, NY- Today KIPP Public Schools and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation are launching a multiyear partnership to create the KIPP Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program to build a community of up to 250 extraordinary KIPP graduates who will become the leaders of tomorrow. This new national Scholars Program will select up to 50 KIPP students annually. It will provide financial support to defray the costs of college, 1:1 mentorship, annual summer internship placement, training around financial literacy and budget planning, an annual leadership weekend and more. The first cohort of Scholars will join the program in May 2022. 

The Rales Scholars Program honors the legacy of Ruth and Norman Rales, who believed deeply in the limitless potential of all young people, and who exemplified the spirit of giving back during their lifetimes. 

“While my parents came from humble circumstances, they dedicated their lives to helping others and believed strongly in the value of an excellent education,” said Josh Rales, Rales Foundation President and Trustee. “The Foundation’s goal with this program is to perpetuate these values by bringing opportunity to an exceptional community of Rales Scholars. We look forward to watching these Scholars become great leaders who will make meaningful contributions to society in their lifetimes, and in turn, open doors for others.” 

Students will be selected through an application process which opens October 1st 2021. Applicants must be a KIPP high school senior or KIPP middle school alumni in their senior year of high school. Students must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to service, and significant financial need. For more information click here  

This Scholars Program will be a window of opportunity for so many KIPP alumni. With the financial support of the Rales Foundation, college and career support from KIPP, and the life-long relationships with each other, there is no limit to what they can achieve in their careers,” said Richard Barth, KIPP Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer. 

In total, students will receive up to $60,000 over four years for non-tuition assistance to defray the cost of college, as well as the following services:   

Internship Placement: Working with the Rales Scholars program team, scholars will identify opportunities and be placed annually in meaningful internships. The program coordinators will engage members of the KIPP local boards and alumni to support students in their internship pursuits.  

Alumni Mentorship and Connection: Rales Scholars will engage in the broader KIPP alumni network (over 30,000 and growing) and be mentored by and connected to older alumni.  

Leadership Weekend: All Scholars will attend an annual leadership summit in the summer, which will foster connections across the Rales Scholars Community and support Scholars in becoming agents of change.  

Financial Literacy: Scholars will receive training in personal finance planning and budgeting. 

Resource Library: Access to resume and cover letter templates as well as mock interview resources. 

In 2015, the Rales Foundation helped create the Rales Health Center at KIPP Baltimore through an innovative partnership with Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, providing a new model of school-based health and wellness for over 1,500 KIPP students. Learn more about the Rales Center at KIPP 

About the Norman R. And Ruth Rales Foundation   

The Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families facing hardship by creating opportunities for them to realize life’s potential. Norman and Ruth Rales began their lives under humble circumstances. Norman was raised in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during the Great Depression. The lessons he learned there nurtured a lifelong desire to assist others in need, while brightening the days of the many he touched. Ruth was raised in Pittsburgh by parents who had fled persecution in Eastern Europe. From an early age she was taught the value of hard work, generosity and creativity. Ruth and Norman married in 1948 and together they built a brilliant life filled with family, friends, community, work and giving to others. Unable to attend college themselves, Ruth and Norman believed deeply in the importance of an excellent education for all children, regardless of circumstance. Throughout their lives, they dedicated themselves to helping others in need. Their spirit of giving and values live on through the work of the Rales Foundation.  

About KIPP 

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 270 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll over 120,000 students in all grades from PreK through high school. Nationwide, KIPP students complete their bachelor’s degree at three to four times higher rates than the average for students from families facing economic hardship.