News & Events

Major Achievements for Local Charter School,
ABC7, Sep. 2004

Sept. 23 - Just weeks after a report questioning the success of the charter school movement, one group of schools in the Bay Area is reporting some major achievements. We first told you about the KIPP schools two years ago when they were recruiting students for a middle school in Oakland. Since then, KIPP has expanded into other parts of the Bay Area.

Welcome to a KIPP school - straight lines, strict discipline and a school day that starts at 7:30 in the morning and goes until 5 p.m.

Allison Ohle, teacher: "There are no bells and whistles here, there is nothing crazy that we do. We just work all day."

There is also class on many Saturdays and a mandatory three week summer school.

Vocabulary chants are just one of many strategies to keep students alert and learning all day.

Raven: "It just feels good to be the hardest working kids in Oakland."

And they are not just working hard in Oakland. KIPP, which stands for the Knowledge Is Power Program, now has five middle schools in the Bay Area. The San Lorenzo school started last year with three 5th grade classes. And they've had remarkable results.

Jason Singer, principal: "If you look at test scores as a measure, our kids outperformed every single school in every single subject on the California standards test in our district."

The great test scores come despite the fact that most KIPP students are recruited from low income families at low performing schools.

Shannon Frost is thrilled with her daughter's success.

Shannon Frost, mother: "She has already increased over a grade this year. She came in below 4th grade level when she entered 5th. And she just started 6th grade this year and she's at 6th grade level this year."

Many of the other KIPP schools are also showing impressive test scores. A KIPP school in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood has had particular success with African American students who make up more than 80 percent of the school. Their average test scores beat other African Americans in the district on every section of the state test.

Michelle: "I like this school because it prepares me for college."

Kim Levy says there've been other big benefits for her son too.

Kim Levy, mother: "He's learned respect and discipline because he used to be fighting everything, and here there's no tolerance, zero tolerance for all that."

KIPP schools do constant fundraising to provide a lot of extras. Some of the schools require every student be part of an orchestra. And they provide kids with all their notebooks and school supplies.

One way KIPP teachers connect with kids is by cell phone. They are available until nine at night, and the kids call constantly. It takes a special kind of dedication to handle the long hours.

Shawn Hardnett, teacher: "People come in and they are like, I couldn't do this, and it's not for everyone to do. But this is the work that is required if we want to get the results we want to get."

KIPP teachers make 15 to 20 percent more than the average public school teacher. And each year a handful, including Allison Ohle, get $10,000 bonuses for outstanding achievement. Ohle says the credit really goes to all the teachers.

Ohle: "None of us can do our job if the rest of us aren't here doing it and that's what makes us, that's what makes this different from any other place I've ever taught, that is everybody is really trucking everyday to make it happen."

The KIPP schools are part of a nationwide network of 38 schools in 15 states. They are all free public schools, open to any child. Some of the Bay Area schools still have openings for 5th and 6th graders.

More information on KIPP schools:

San Francisco:
KIPP San Francisco bay academy
www.sfbayacademy.org
(415) 440-4306

KIPP Bayview Academy
www.kippbayview.org
(415) 467-2522

San Lorenzo:
KIPP Summit Academy
www.kippsummit.org
(510) 258-0106

San Jose:
KIPP Heartwood Academy
(408) 928-2400

Oakland:
KIPP Bridge College Prep
www.kippbridge.org
510-879-2421

The national KIPP Web site is www.kipp.org. The main phone number is 1-866-345-KIPP.

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