KIPP Philadelphia: Celebrating 20 Years

CEO Message

DEAR KIPP PHILADELPHIA FRIENDS,

Twenty years at KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools signifies what education in our city looks like when we come together in support of our students When we opened our doors in July 2003, there were not many charter schools in the city and it was an exciting time to provide families with a choice on where to send their children to school

Reflecting on the past two decades, we have transformed from one school serving 90 students to a network of 8 schools serving 3,200 students. Along the way, we ’ ve experienced challenges but we have also experienced huge successes. The thing that has kept us and continues to keep us grounded is remaining steadfast in our vision for the future creating academically excellent, joyful schools where our students feel a sense of belonging, and where we reinforce the brilliance inherit in our students We have seen the impact of this approach through the accomplishments of our 1,300+ alums as they make their mark on the world and forge their own paths,

I am so grateful and honored to partner with you all in support of our students Thank you for your firm belief in our mission and your commitment to the success of Philadelphia’s young people. These past 20 years have been filled with special memories, milestones, and moments of gratitude because of you. Here’s to the next 20 years of working together to prepare students with the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Natalie Wiltshire CEO

THE HISTORY OF KIPP PHILADELPHIA SETTING THE Stage

In 2003 charter schools were new to Philadelphia The city had less than 50 charter schools approved in the 2002-2003 school year, while today there are over 100 schools serving roughly a third of Philadelphia’s public school students

When our flagship middle school, KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy (KPPA), opened its doors in 2003, it was the first charter school in the Philadelphia region under the national Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) network KIPP s mission focused on preparing students from historically underserved communities for college

Creating joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to lead choice-filled lives is now the North Star KIPP is the country's largest charter school system that prides itself on celebrating students' identities and cultural backgrounds. KIPP aims to give students the tools that will empower them to disrupt harmful systems instead of assimilating into them Our mission has also broadened to include postsecondary plans beyond college by changing the KIPP Through College (KTC) program to KIPP Forward, which supports alumni through college, career, and beyond

What began with one middle school in 2003 has flourished into a network of eight public charter schools, serving 3,200 students and more than 1,300 alumni.

The charter educational landscape has changed over the past two decades, but one priority stands the test of time our students. KIPP Philadelphia celebrates all the progress made in the last 20 years and is reminded of the work that still needs to be done to build a limitless future for Philadelphia's young people.

ALOOKBACK 2003

PHILADELPHIA HAPPENINGS

Ed Rendell is elected Governor. John F. Street is re-elected as Mayor.

The Sixers don’t make the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

kippphiladelphia org

KIPP Philadelphia Charter School opens with a class of 90 students.

Lincoln Financial Field opens to replace Veterans Stadium.

The School District of Philadelphia requires all elementary and middle school students to have 120 minutes of literacy and 90 minutes of math instruction daily.

Class of 2011

My favorite memories from KIPP are our end-of-the-year trips, the bond I shared with my friends, and the love that I receive from my old teachers, even today. I am currently working in my profession as an attorney and I am a new mom to a one-year-old baby girl

Class of 2011

I'm a proud HBCU graduate of Oakwood University, where I obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government

Class of 2012

I’m currently a sous chef at a restaurant in Olde City. KIPP has been one of the best experiences of my life I met so many great people that turned into long time friendships and mentors life throws so much at you and the people you meet at KIPP are with you for the ride

Class of 2013

Class of 2015

I graduated from KPCS in 2009 I attended Penn State University for college, where I studied Biology. I am currently a Veterinary Technician and I have a small business in which I sell pet apparel KIPP was like my second family and my favorite thing was going on the end-of-the-year trips together as a family

Class of 2017

Anyone can be a coach, but it takes a special person to change a life The limitless guidance and support I received as a young athlete on and off the field during my time at KIPP helped change the trajectory of my life In turn, I want to return the favor by guiding the youth in my community

Class of 2013

Class of 2014

The best memories I’ve had at KIPP were definitely Saturday school. I was able to try so many activities like taekwondo, chess, sewing, choir, etc I started the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program through KIPP and loved every second of it Currently, I am working in behavioral health. Helping others in any capacity has been a passion of mine since middle school.

I am most grateful for the lifelong friendships I developed during my time as a student Some of my best friends today are also KPCS alumni My fondest memories are of class trips and end of week celebrations that allowed me to deepen my bonds with my peers In my current role as Program Manager for the Black Leadership Institute, I facilitate the networking of Black leaders across the country.

One of my favorite memories at KWPP was being able to express myself through writing in Ms Ranzy’s class. Every week we wrote in our journals and then on Fridays we got the chance to share with our class. After my time at KIPP, I moved to Virginia and got my undergrad degree at Virginia Union University Criminal Justice. Now I am a working full-time student in an accelerated MSNFNP program.

Class of 2016

One of my favorite memories from KIPP would be Saturday School. I liked all of the different activities they opened up to us The environment at KIPP always felt like a family. Since my time at KIPP, I graduated from Delaware Valley University And now I am a math teacher at an alternative school called High Roads School of Philadelphia

Class of 2017

Playing double-dutch during Backto-School night and later creating a double-dutch enrichment program with my friend and classmate on Broad Street is one of my favorite memories at KIPP I am now a Head Start teacher at a childcare center in North Philadelphia I am currently applying for graduate school and internships for African Studies.

Class of 2018

Currently, I am a full-time master's student at Columbia University studying sustainability management. I am also an HBCU Fellow through Columbia I graduate in August or December and plan to work in the Built Environment

A requirement that we had to meet during my freshman y was to memorize "Our Deep Fear," a poem by Marianne Williamson I am very gratef KIPP instilling this powerful into students because it is something that has gotten m through college and some o hardest battles when I did n believe in myself I have sinc received my Bachelor of Scie Business Marketing.

Class of 2018

One of my favorite memories from KIPP is the Friday celebrations. Since my time at KIPP, I’ve been traveling, working, and tapping more into adulthood. I’m currently a Medical Assistant/Phlebotomist at Lankenau Medical Center and wish to further my education and medical experience to become a surgical doctor I can honestly say KIPP did an amazing job at preparing me for it all and I’m forever grateful to be a KIPP alumni.

One of my fondest KIPP memories is being able to go to Washington, D.C in 5th grade. During that trip I learned a lot and had fun! But it was that moment when I knew in order for me to leave my mark and create a legacy, I need to work hard and dedicate each and every day to something bigger than myself I recently earned my bachelor's degree from the first degree granting HBCU, Lincoln University

One memory that sticks out while I was a student was when we had a carnival event across the street from the school in the grass, and me and my friends played soccer I was terrible at the sport, slipping, sliding, and falling on the grass at least five times but my team still won. Currently, I'm attending the nursing program at Community College of Philadelphia in hopes of getting my RN license

I am currently working as a Paralegal at the Law Office of Shaka Johnson, LLC My time at KIPP was definitely a great experience, where I grew as a young adult My memories about my time there are deep, but my favorite memory from KIPP would have to be 2018’s senior prom Everyone looked amazing and you could just feel the happiness and fun in the room

One of the most memorable parts of KIPP was our grade wide chantoffs. Chanting with my classmates not only added an exciting vibe to the classroom, it helped students like me see the beauty of competition and teamwork, which in turn became the bedrock of one of many lessons I learned over my 8 years in KIPP Philadelphia Schools I now have a BA and MS in Psychology and work as a mobile crisis specialist.

My teachers at KIPP are one of the things that I will never forget, particularly my senior year Even though I wasn't the most outspoken student, my bubbly personality and optimism helped me to build and maintain those relationships to this day I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the sincere support and humor I received

My favorite memory at KIPP was with my teachers because they taught me so much knowledge and how to navigate my daily life as a college student. Nowadays I am getting ready for Summer Clinicals in a Respiratory Therapy program I have six hospitals selected and currently work as a Respiratory Therapy Technician

I’ve actually been at KIPP since kindergarten Besides leadership, I’ve also been a cheerleader at KIPP I’ve also been in band The thing I think that is important that KIPP offers is family. When picking which high school I wanted to go to, KIPP has always offered that family bond and school community that I loved.

Class of 2019

Class of 2019

Class of 2021

Class of 2023

Caprice White

MMEMORIES EMORIES

1 & 2. KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory School Leader, Principal Miles when she was a KIPP teacher in 2008 vs present

3. 2012 KPPA Boys basketball team heads to their playoff game

4. 2024 KDCA Boys basketball team heads to their playoff game

5. Ms AbdusSalaam has been teaching at KIPP since 2004

6. Students sing in choir with Ms AbdusSalaam during Saturday School (2007)

7. Julius Brown has taught music at KIPP for 18 years!

8. Founding Social Worker, Michelle Icenogle is currently the Director of Student Wellness

9. Mayor Nutter visits KPCS to distribute books to students (2009)

10. 5th-grade students took a trip to Hershey's World of Chocolate after reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) 11, 12, 13. 6th Grade Students on a trip to Utah (2005) 14, 15, 16. Students go on a Civil Rights Tour through the South (2006) 17, 18, 19. KDCA students journey to Ghana (2014)

School Superlatives

KIPP PHILADELPHIA OCTAVIUS CATTO ELEMENTARY MOST PLAY PROFICIENT MOST PLAY PROFICIENT

Excelling in a curriculum that blends play and learning seamlessly, nurturing young minds in grades K-2, expanding to a K-4 school by 2026

KIPP DUBOIS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY MOST LIKELY TO LEAD MOST LIKELY TO LEAD

Cultivating leaders of tomorrow, KDCA instills a sense of identity and purpose in its graduates, empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond

KIPP WEST PHILADELPHIA ELEMENTARY ACADEMY SHOWCASE SHOWCASE SPECTACULARS SPECTACULARS

Through partnerships and programs, KIPP West Philadelphia Elementary Academy creates opportunities for students to engage with music and the arts, fostering a deep appreciation for creativity and expression

KIPP PHILADELPHIA PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Community partnership is key at KPPA. With local partnerships that offer supports for students and families, and a full-time Social work team, KIPP Philly’s very first school is committed to addressing the needs of the whole child

KIPP WEST PHILADELPHIA PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL CULTURE CHAMPIONS CULTURE

Fostering a school culture that celebrates diversity and honors students' cultural backgrounds, KIPP West Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School creates a vibrant and inclusive community.

KIPP NORTH PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY VIBRANT VIRTUOSOS VIBRANT VIRTUOSOS

Students at KIPP North Philadelphia Academy shine brightly, not only on stage but also in embodying the school's core values with flair

KIPP PHILADELPHIA ELEMENTARY ACADEMY IMAGINATION IGNITERS IMAGINATION IGNITERS

Inspiring teamwork and a love of literacy, KPEA sparks the imagination of students, fostering a collaborative learning environment

KPPS PARTNERSHIPS OVER THE YEARS

2003-2023

Over the past two decades, KPPS has expanded from a single middle school to a robust network of eight charter schools throughout North and West Philadelphia, serving 3,200 students and more than 1,300 alums but we couldn’t have done it without our partners, supporters, and community.

Moments

THAT GOT US HERE

PHILANTHROPY

Over the last 20 years, KPPS has experienced transformational growth thanks to committed community and philanthropic partners. Through our partners’ generous support, we ’ ve been able to open new schools, expand our leadership pathways initiatives, and scale high-impact programs like KIPP Forward. KIPP PHILADELPHIA 12

CORPORATEPARTNERS

Strong business relationships have played a pivotal role in KIPP’s growth since opening our doors, especially with programming aimed at career readiness

Internships, volunteer opportunities, and corporate matching funds are just a few of the ways the professional community in Philadelphia have enhanced our students’ lives