The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a network of free open-enrollment college preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States. At KIPP, there are no shortcuts: outstanding educators, more time in school, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support help our students make significant academic gains and continue to excel in high school and college.

KIPP began when two Teach for America corps alumni, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin launched an intensive 5th grade program at Houston's Garcia Elementary School. Their students' academic success and interest in learning inspired Feinberg and Levin to expand the program throughout the country. The following year Feinberg founded KIPP Academy Houston and Levin founded KIPP Academy in the South Bronx.

In 2000, Don and Doris Fisher, founders of GAP, Inc., formed a unique partnership with Feinberg and Levin to replicate the success of the two schools. Stemming from the belief that great schools need great leaders, they established a fellowship to recruit, select, and train educators to plan, open, and lead their own KIPP schools. Today, there are 66 KIPP schools operating in urban and rural communities throughout the country, including Houston, New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, as well as two in the Metro-Atlanta area, serving over 16,000 students.

KIPP Metro Atlanta students are eligible for the same state and federal programs (include free or reduced lunch) at other schools.

KIPP Metro Atlanta is a network of KIPP schools in the Metro Atlanta area that collaborate to maximize opportunities for professional development and leverage the power of shared services such as development, operations, finance, and technology. The KIPP Foundation is a national non-profit organization that focuses on recruiting, training, and supporting outstanding leaders to open new, locally-run KIPP schools in high-need communities. The KIPP Foundation is not a charter management organization; rather the national organization serves as a support and training organization. The schools here in Atlanta, are managed locally by KIPP Metro Atlanta.

KIPP Metro Atlanta schools are free public charter schools open to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status, discipline record, academic achievement, or ethnicity. There are no admission tests or tuition fees.

The KIPP Metro Atlanta schools implement KIPP's academically rigorous college preparatory model. All students attend school daily from 7:30am to 5:00pm, a half day every other Saturday, and a two-to-three week summer session. This equates to approximately 60% more instructional time than traditional public schools. In turn, KIPP schools consistently see significant gains in standardized test scores, often among the highest performing schools in their districts and states.

Yes, students are expected to comply with the uniform expectations every day. Uniforms are provided by the school for a small fee.

KIPP South Fulton Academy is located at 1286 East Washington Ave in East Point, Georgia.
KIPP WAYS Academy is located at 80 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. in Atlanta, across from the Ashby MARTA Station, at the former E. R. Carter Elementary School.
KIPP STRIVE Academy will be located in Southwest Atlanta when it opens in July 2009.

Visit the individual school's websites for an application. Please note that there may be early deadlines for applying; check the school websites often for updates.

Visit the career section of our website for a list of opportunities. Please send resumes to: careers@kippmetroatlanta.org.

To donate money, click here to go to the Support Us page. Contact Jill Joplin, Director of Development for more information.

To volunteer at a particular school, contact the school directly.
KIPP South Fulton Academy
KIPP WAYS Academy
KIPP STRIVE Academy