Our Principles
The KIPP Five are network-wide principles that define the beliefs and behaviors that shape our schools across the country. They guide how adults lead, how teams work, and how students and families experience KIPP.
- Expect Greatness. All KIPPsters have boundless potential. We reject excuses that place limits on what our students can achieve. While good intentions matter, results matter most. We expect to prepare our students to excel in the nation’s most competitive colleges and careers and hold ourselves accountable to deliver outcomes reflecting that expectation.
- Bring Joy. Joy and rigor go hand in hand—and we pursue both. Our schools are vibrant, demanding places—alive with discussion, laughter, and deep thinking. Rooted in love for and belief in our children, our schools are places students and adults run to—where joy fuels excellence.
- Do the Right Thing. We pursue not only extraordinary achievement, but extraordinary character. Without character, achievement fails. We act with honesty, integrity, and respect for one another—because our character ultimately defines who we are, individually and collectively. We strive to embody the best version of ourselves, and to bring out the best in others.
- Lead Together. Leadership lives at every level of our KIPP community. United by a shared vision, we bring the best of KIPP to all of KIPP. We learn from one another, support one another, and scale what works. We are stronger together, and we use that strength to deliver more consistent outcomes for students and communities nationwide.
- Fully Commit. Joining KIPP means committing fully to one another and to our mission. Our work is hard, and that’s what makes it purposeful. It calls for perseverance in the face of adversity. We show up every day and do the hard work required to achieve our high expectations.
