KIPP Academies

The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) Academies are small, charter middle schools serving fifth through eighth-grade students. The first one began in Houston about 10 years ago; there are now more than 30 across the country, including Brooklyn and the Bronx in New York and in Washington, D.C. They have had considerable success in teaching children from areas where traditionally test scores have been low.

A foundation for this success is not selection of students by the school administration, but self-selection by the applicant families themselves. This self-selection process is critical, according to the founders of the schools, and forms one of the schools' governing principles: choice and commitment. Students and their families choose to be at the school and choose to submit to a demanding behavioral code. The code includes a promise to do homework, behave safely, take responsibility for their behavior and do whatever it takes to really learn. The school day and school year are longer than usual, the latter involving three to four weeks of attendance in the summer.

KIPP Academy New York in South Bronx has 250 students, of which 45 percent are African American and 55 percent are Hispanic, and is located in one of the most concentrated high-poverty neighborhoods in New York.The Houston KIPP Academy has 340 low-income children (76 percent Hispanic and 20 percent African American).In Washington, D.C., KIPP is called the Key Academy. It draws students from a low-income African American community and, according to standardized assessments, produces promising academic results.

The New York State Senate has recognized KIPP Academy New York as the highest-performing public middle school in the Bronx in reading, mathematics and attendance each year since the 1997-1998 school year. Over 80 percent of students in mathematics and 73 percent of students in reading performed at or above grade level on the spring 2003 city and state tests. KIPP Academy New York now ranks in the top 10 percent of all New York City elementary and middle schools in mathematics and reading achievement.

Trey Whitfield School

Private schools can also serve to assist in diversifying the applicant pool for colleges and universities. For example, the Trey Whitfield School, which has been operating since 1983, provides a high-quality elementary education (nursery through eighth grade) to 500 children in Brooklyn, New York. The private school, which costs roughly $3,000 per year, has an open admissions policy and fills spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. The student population includes students from traditionally underserved backgrounds, and some are on scholarship.

Trey Whitfield students wear uniforms and are expected to follow a behavioral code or face discipline and even expulsion. Teachers emphasize reading, writing and the development of verbal and analytical skills through daily recitation and demanding assignments.

Trey Whitfield students are accepted to some of New England's prestigious preparatory schools including New Hampton, St. Mark's, Dublin and Brewster. In one year, Trey Whitfield students held the top student leadership positions at Brewster--four class presidents and student body president. With their solid academic foundation, students from Trey Whitfield have gone on to attend colleges and universities that include Georgetown, Villanova, Syracuse and Pepperdine.

Alignment of K-12 Requirements with College Admissions Requirements