The Five Pillars

KIPP schools share a core set of operating principles known as the Five Pillars:

High Expectations. Students, parents, teachers, and staff create a culture of achievement and support, an environment in which students are prepared for the rigors of high school and college.

Choice & Commitment. Everyone at KIPP makes a commitment to his or her school and to one another to put in the time and effort required to achieve success.

More Time. With an extended school day, week, and year, students spend more time in school learning and have more opportunities to engage in diverse extracurricular experiences.

Power To Lead. The principals of KIPP schools are effective academic and organizational leaders. They are free to innovate, make staffing changes, and swiftly move dollars, allowing them maximum effectiveness in helping students learn.

Focus On Results. KIPP schools relentlessly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures, as well as emphasize continuous improvement in teaching and learning.