KIPP MINNESOTA

KIPP Minnesota is dedicated to building a successful KIPP school in the Twin Cities metro area based on the belief that all students can learn. We are focused on ensuring our students develop both the academic skills and the character necessary to help them define what they stand for. Through a culture of high expectations, we seek to instill in our students the values of honor, tenacity, curiosity, and joy. Our students spend 60% more time in the classroom than average public school students, our teachers are available at all times for our students by cell phone, and will do whatever it takes to ensure student success..

When fully enrolled, KIPP Stand Academy will serve 5th -8th grade students (5-7 in 2010-2011) with a high quality consistent preparatory education. Our school is built on the foundation of our five pillars of High Expectations, Choice & Commitment, Results, Power to Lead, and More Time. KIPP Minnesota sets clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and character that make no excuses based on students’ background. Each member of the community, including parents, students, and teachers signs a ‘commitment to excellence form’ pledging the effort necessary for success. Our focus on a high level of student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures and emphasize continuous improvement in teaching and learning. KIPP Stand Academy School Leader, Larry Hester, has the freedom to innovate in the way he manages and organizes, resulting in maximum effectiveness helping students learn. KIPP Stand Academy is in session for extended 7:30-5:00 PM days, Saturday School, and for three weeks in the summer, meaning our students are in school learning 60 % more than average public school students.

KIPP Minnesota addresses the urgent need in Minneapolis for high quality, free, college preparatory education for economically disadvantaged students of color. Substandard results for economically disadvantaged students of color in Minneapolis provide strong evidence that we as a community are not serving all students. The fact that the achievement gap between students of color and white students in Minneapolis is the second highest in the country needs to change so that we may achieve racial and socioeconomic equity for our residents. We believe that every student in Minneapolis has the right to high quality education and has the capacity to perform at high levels when given high expectations and support. KIPP Minnesota seeks to create a sustainable model for educational success. We believe that injecting the current Minnesota education market with a new model at this time will have a significant impact for all students, not just students who attend KIPP schools.