along albany road clockwise from tl: Dennis Cullinane introduces KIPP’rs to the fine art of catch and release on the Deerfield River. Students work the garden and later dissect sheep hearts. Jeff Armes and the Beyond Z Award.
Knowledge is Still Power: KIPP in Action For the second year in a row, Deerfield’s KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) was a resounding success. Drawing on KIPP schools from around the country, fifty of the best students (the “best of the best”) came to Deerfield for three weeks to learn more about life at boarding school and to enjoy the thrill of new experiences. Program coordinator and Associate Dean of Admission Jeff Armes, along with Dennis Cullinane and Andy Harcourt (both of the academy’s Science Department), and Mark Scandling of the English Department, worked together to create an intense, yet fun-filled program. Students delved into The Great Gatsby, dissected sheep hearts, learned archery, went fly fishing in the Deerfield River, worked in the academy’s new organic garden, and pulled together a talent show. Later in the summer Mr. Armes traveled to Orlando, Florida, to take part in the annual KIPP School Summit—a weeklong gathering of the over 1800 KIPP teachers and administrators. There, on the final night of the summit at a gala banquet, Mr. Armes was surprised with the KIPP 2009 Beyond Z Award, presented to him by former KIPP student and Deerfield alumna Alexis Rosado ’03. A nod to the Dr. Suess book On Beyond Zebra, the award is a testament to Mr. Armes’ willingness to extend himself “beyond Z” for KIPP at Deerfield. But Mr. Armes insists it is Deerfield that has made the summer program possible: “It signifies to me Deerfield’s continued commitment to diversity and enriching the campus,” he said. “I was allowed to present a vision for the KIPP program, to draw academically talented students to Deerfield, and get them excited about the possibility of boarding school. I have received great support from Margarita Curtis, regarding diversity initiatives such as KIPP, and I believe this support speaks to the essence of our mission.” There are currently 82 KIPP schools in 19 U.S. states but the summer program at Deerfield is the only one of its kind. This year there are five former KIPP students enrolled at the academy.
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