KIPP FAQ

Yes, all of our schools are tuition-free public charter schools. Like traditional public schools, we receive public funding and are accountable for strong academic results and sound financial practices. Public charter schools, however, are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to delivering specific results.

Charter schools are publicly-funded, independently-operated schools that are allowed to operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability. Every charter school has an authorizer that is responsible for holding charter schools accountable for compliance with their operating agreements (“charters”). KIPP South Fulton Academy is authorized by Fulton County Schools; our eight other schools are authorized by Atlanta Public Schools.

Like all public schools, charter schools are:

• Tuition-free and open-enrollment
• Non-sectarian and non-discriminatory
• Funded primarily through a combination of federal, state, and local tax dollars
• Held to state and federal academic standards

KIPP schools are open-enrollment public charter schools, serving students from educationally underserved communities.

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools serves grades K-12.

KIPP Woodson Park Academy is a unique partnership with Atlanta Public Schools. Starting in 2019, KIPP assumed operations of this traditional school in the Grove Park neighborhood. This school serves as the zoned school for any students who live in the neighborhood and functions as a traditional public school with regards to enrollment.

Any student can attend a local KIPP school, as long as they meet the residency requirements of the local school district and there is space available at their grade level. Any student who qualifies for public school qualifies for KIPP, regardless of prior academic or behavioral record.

No. All KIPP schools are free public charter schools.

To enroll your child in one of our schools, you must complete an electronic application during the open-enrollment period, beginning January 1st of each year. If a school receives more applications than space permits, a random lottery is held in the late winter or early spring to determine admission. All students who apply after the open enrollment period ends are added to the waitlist on a first-come, first-serve basis. To learn more about enrolling your child in one of our schools, visit our Enrollment page.

Like all public schools in Georgia, students must turn five years old by September 1. If you would like to enroll your child in Kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year, your child must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2016.

Yes, students at each of our schools are required to wear uniforms each day. Uniform shirts are provided by an outside vendor for a small fee.

Our schools use a variety of methods for recruiting students, from hosting open houses to presenting at community meetings to encouraging word-of-mouth. We strive to expand awareness of our program and schools so that as many families as possible know that KIPP is an available educational option for their children.

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools teachers are a diverse group; this includes experienced teachers with many years of experience to new teachers who are just beginning their careers to career changers who are entering the classroom after succeeding in other professions.

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools values teachers as professionals. All of our teachers are provided numerous training opportunities to continue improving their skills. Ongoing content area workshops, online collaboration and communities with KIPP schools nationwide, and personalized instructional coaching are just a few examples of what we do to help our teachers succeed.

The primary requirement for teaching at one of our schools is a core belief that every child can succeed and that the collective team will do whatever it takes to help each and every student develop the character and academic skills necessary for them to lead choice-filled lives. In addition, our schools comply with all applicable state and federal laws and state certification requirements, and candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Potential teachers can apply to work in a KIPP school by visiting our Careers page and following the instructions in the job posting.

As public charter schools, we are primarily funded through a combination of federal, state, and local dollars with state funding representing the majority of our public funding. Charter schools receive less public funding than traditional district schools which requires us to raise funds from private sources to provide a robust and well-rounded college-preparatory education.

Because KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. You can learn more by visiting our Support Us or Donate Now page.

KIPP closely tracks and supports the students who graduate eighth grade from KIPP middle schools and/or enroll in ninth grade at KIPP high schools through our KIPP Through College (KTC) program. KTC aims to empower each middle school and high school graduate to continue on the path to college and a choice-filled life.

The KIPP Foundation recruits, trains, and supports leaders to open locally-managed KIPP schools. The KIPP Foundation supports excellence, growth, and sustainability across the network, as well as leads network-wide efforts to innovate and share best practices.