FAQs For Students:
Q: What is Bayview Academy all about?
A: Bayview Academy is all about broadening horizons for college and for life. That means that we are here to develop the academic, personal, and social skills you will need to survive in the world. We believe that you can do anything you want to do, you simply must set your mind to it and work hard to get there.
Please read Bayview Academy in the eyes of a fifth grader.

Q: What are the values of Bayview Academy?
A: The values of Bayview Academy are integrity, responsibility, initiative, excellence, tenacity, and positivity.

Q: What is expected of me?
A: Academics will come first. You and your families will work together with the staff to get on the path to college, and to success and happiness in life.

Q: Why should I believe?
A: Because the results show that it works. Like all KIPP students nationwide, students at Bayview Academy will excel academically. This means you will learn a lot and be prepared for the best high schools in San Francisco and the Bay Area. And after high school you will be prepared for college and for life.

Q: I hear the hours are long. Exactly how long am I in school?
A: a lot! But it will be worth it. School is from 7:45 to 5:00 Monday through Thursday, until 3:15 on Friday s, two Saturdays a month, and three weeks in the summer. It may sound like a lot, but it will prepare you for college. Ask any of the KIPP alumni from across the country… they will all tell you that the hard work is worth it!

Q: Are teachers strict?
A: Yes. We will tell you what is expected of you, and make sure you understand our expectations and why we have them. After that, we will expect that you live up to the high standards of the school.

Q: What will my teachers be like?
A: Your teachers will be open, committed and available. They will work closely with your parents and with you to make sure that you learn. You will be able to call them after hours in case you need help on your homework. Or with your laundry.

Q. Do students wear a uniform?
A. Yes. Students attend Bayview Academy because they are serious about their education. The philosophy behind the school uniform is to create a purposeful educational atmosphere. Anything that distracts students will not be allowed. All uniform decisions are at the discretion of the principal.

Regular School Uniform

• KIPP Bayview Academy Uniform Shirt. Students will be provided with shirts from KIPP Bayview Academy. Families may purchase more if they wish.
  
  
• Khaki (tan) pants or skirts*
  
  
• Khaki (tan) shorts*
  
  
• Brown or black leather belt
  
  
• Brown or black shoes (NOT sneakers)
  
  
• KIPP Bayview Academy sweatshirt (can be purchased at the school)

FAQs For Parents:
Q: What is Bayview Academy all about?
A: We are about preparing students for college and for life. This means that we have excellent teachers, a challenging curriculum, and high expectations of your student. We expect excellence, and will do whatever it takes to help your child achieve it.

Q: Why are the children in school so long?
A: We do more. The extended hours give us more time for learning, as well as more time for things like Arts and Sports. For example, we have 90 minutes of Math each day, which gives us time to work on both computational and problem solving skills.

Q: How will I know it's working?
A: Parents at KIPP schools across the country comment on the positive changes they see in their children. From helping out more at home, to envisioning optimistic and productive futures for themselves. The academic results at KIPP Schools are undeniable. For example, the KIPP DC KEY Academy Grade 5 gains in math and reading were larger than those reported for any other middle/junior high school within the District of Columbia Public Schools. See http://www.kipp.org/Results to read the impressive statistics of the existing KIPP schools.

Q: What are the values of this school?
A: The core values of Bayview Academy are integrity, responsibility, initiative, excellence, tenacity, and positivism. The entire school community strives to uphold these values in all of our actions. We ask that our parents model these values for their children.

Q: What is the curriculum like at KIPP Bayview Academy?
A: Students at Bayview Academy study a world-class curriculum that exceeds the California state curriculum standards. Teachers have flexibility in how they teach, allowing them to be creative and responsive to students' needs. Every teacher is responsible for ensuring that students go above and beyond the California state content standards.

Q: Where is the magic? It sounds like you aren't doing anything different.
A: People always ask, "What text book do you use? What math program?" The answer is that while curriculum is important, the overall school experience is what makes Bayview Academy special. From advisory to weekly progress reports to field trips to calling teachers when there is a question, Bayview Academy is dedicated to your child's success. What makes Bayview Academy special is the people who are part of it - the parents, the students, the teachers, and the community members.

Q: What makes Bayview Academy different from other schools?
A: Several Things.
Student Advisory: Every adult staff member meets at least two hours per week with a small group of students. This staff member will serve as the advisor and advocate for the student throughout their four years at Bayview Academy.
Communication with Parents: Weekly progress reports and newsletters are sent home to communicate with parents about student behavior and academic performance.
Commitment to Excellence: One of the unique characteristics of Bayview Academy is that every individual signs a commitment to excellence. This means that parents, students, teachers, the office manager, the principal, and the Board of Directors all pledge to do whatever it takes for students to learn. The commitment to excellence is not a legal contract. It is a formal commitment, in writing, to the long hours, hard work, and dedication necessary to fulfill our mission.

Q: How are students selected to attend KIPP Bayview Academy?
A: Students can enroll at KIPP Bayview Academy by filling out a simple application and agreeing to the principles set forth in the commitment to excellence. As a public school, no exams or other qualifications will be used to determine enrollment at KIPP Bayview Academy.

If there are more interested students than there are spaces, we begin a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis.