About Us

About KIPP DC: KEY Academy

In our fourth year, KIPP DC: KEY Academy (Knowledge Empowers You) is at full capacity and serves 320 fifth, sixth, seventh and eight graders in southeast Washington, DC. Students take an innovative and academically rigorous college preparatory program. The school's mission is to prepare students with the academic, intellectual, and character skills necessary for success in high school, college, and the competitive world beyond.

KEY students receive an intensive foundation in the core academic subjects with an emphasis on developing the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and in life. The KIPP DC community holds one another to high standards, cognizant that success and happiness can be achieved by all, regardless of challenging circumstances, through team work, tenacity and focused dedication. One hundred percent of the student body is African American, and more than 80% qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program. Sixteen percent of students receive special education services.

KIPP students attend school Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on Fridays until 3:30 p.m., from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. three Saturdays each month, and for one month during the summer. On average, KIPP DC students spend two thirds more time in the classroom than their peers in the D.C. Public School System.

The incorporation of mandatory summer school, Saturday school, and extended hours during the week allows KEY Academy to develop creative programming. During the summer, new students are initiated into the routines, procedures, and high expectations of the school while returning students participate in remediation and enrichment activities. Saturdays during the "normal" school year are spent in various enrichment activities. Students choose from art, music, drum line, publishing, strategy games, orchestra, test preparation, flag football, African dance, and drama. During the week, all students start the day with a half-hour of critical thinking problem solving activities. Students then engage in six to seven hours of instruction that includes reading, writing, math, social studies, science, and Spanish.

KEY Academy is a KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Network School. Each KIPP school operates independently, and has its own Board of Directors responsible for its operations. There are no payments or financial transactions among KIPP schools. The sole connection between KIPP Academies is membership in a nonprofit network of schools committed to demonstrating: 1) That disadvantaged students can perform as well academically as the most privileged students and, 2) The essential elements of schooling that make such achievement possible.