KIPP logoBy J. Branham Jarrell

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, will open a fifth public charter school in Atlanta next year. The Atlanta Board of Education approved the charter, which will make KIPP Atlanta Collegiate the first high school amongst its repertoire of middle schools.

In 2003, both KIPP South Fulton Academy and KIPP WAYS (West Atlanta Young Scholars) Academy opened and now serve approximately 320 students each.  In 2009, KIPP STRIVE (Success Through Rigorous Instruction Virtue and Enrichment) opened in the West End area with an enrollment of nearly 100 5th graders, with expansion plans of one grade per year until 2012, when it will also serve approximately 320 students through the 8th grade.

In July, KIPP Vision Academy opened in southeast Atlanta following suit with STRIVE and is slated to be complete by 2013. KIPP executive director David Jernigan said Atlanta Collegiate will follow the same format as the other schools, starting with 9th grade and expanding to 12th grade by 2014.

Jernigan said the focus of the charter schools is to equip students in underserved communities with the skills they need to go to college and move forward in obtaining career success. Their model is distinctive in that teachers have freedom to express original ideas and parental involvement is promoted to make student education a community-oriented endeavor.

“KIPP is steadfast in giving all students the opportunity to succeed regardless of academic record, past behavior or background,” said Atlanta Collegiate Principal David Howland, who was formerly a teacher at KIPP WAYS.

Marni Mohr, a KIPP Board Member and long-time supporter, added, “We are excited that our students will have an opportunity to continue and receive eight full years of formal education through the KIPP system.”
Approximately 85 percent of all KIPP students that graduate have since enrolled in college. For more information, visit www.kippmetroatlanta.org.

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.

2 replies on “KIPP charter high school opening in 2011”

  1. i am a scholar that attends KIPP:WAYS Academy and i am in the seventh grade. I enjoy attending KIPP and i look forward to graduating from KIPP high. My expierience is valid with KIPP. I look forward to having Mr.Howland, my sixth grade reading teacher, as th principal.
    [a kipp ways scholar since fifth grade]

  2. HELLO ,
    MY NAME IS NYELA ROGERS AND I HAVE ATTENED KIPP WAYS ACADEMT SINCE 5TH GRADE. I ENJOYED BEING IN THE READING CLASS IN 6TH GRADE WITH MR.HOWLDAND, AND CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HIM AS THE PRICIPAL. I THINK HE HAS AME A LONG WAY AND WILL BE THE BEST PRINCIPAL EVR.!

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