Mission

Vision

As we grow and respond to community demand for KIPP Houston schools, focus on our collective vision of a better tomorrow.  We wish to have enough great individual student achievement and overall school results, in both quality and quantity, to change societal beliefs on what is possible in every single school in every single community to help our children build a better tomorrow for themselves and generations to come.

Beliefs

Guiding our work is a commitment to teaching our students to work hard and be nice. We are building and educating the compassionate leaders of tomorrow. In that sense, academic lessons at KIPP integrate values and model behavioral expectations that reflect our school values.

Across KIPP Houston, we have adopted five core values that are reinforced by our beliefs and operating norms. In our work and lives, we seek to honor, commit, persist, excel, and enjoy. This is expressed visually through our Freedom Tree.

Five Pillars

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

High Expectations

KIPP schools have clear and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses for students' backgrounds. Students, parents, teachers, and staff create and reinforce a culture of achievement and support through a range of formal and informal rewards and consequences for academic performance and behavior.

More Time on Task

KIPP schools know that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and life. With an extended school day, week, and year, students have more time in the classroom to acquire the academic knowledge and skills that will prepare them for competitive high schools and colleges, as well as more opportunities to engage in diverse extracurricular experiences.

Power to Lead

The principals of KIPP schools are effective academic and organizational leaders who understand that great schools require great school leaders. They have control over their school budget and personnel. School leaders must retain their autonomy while taking advantage of collective wisdom and economies of scale. Additionally, a world-class faculty at each KIPP school is a priority; KIPP must identify, attract, develop, retain, and empower the very best instructors, so that every KIPPster receives first-rate education.

Focus on Results

KIPP schools relentlessly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures. Just as there are no shortcuts, there are no excuses. Students are expected to achieve a level of academic performance that will enable them to thrive at the nation's best colleges. KIPP teachers focus on developing students who not only make high test scores, but who are also self-starting, critical thinkers who will succeed in college and the ever-changing world.

Choice and Commitment

KIPP’s students, parents, and faculty elect their school and voluntarily commit to its expectations. No one is required to attend or participate in the life of a KIPP school. Rather, stakeholders make and uphold a pledge to the school and each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success. Understanding KIPP families in ALL communities and helping them cope with obstacles to success is imperative.