KEY Lingo

2010

KIPP DC: KEY Academy students focus on acquiring the academic, intellectual, and character skills necessary for success in high school, college, and the competitive world beyond. As KIPP DC eighth graders know, they will enroll in college in 2010.

2011

KIPP DC: KEY Academy students focus on acquiring the academic, intellectual, and character skills necessary for success in high school, college, and the competitive world beyond. As KIPP DC seventh graders know, they will enroll in college in 2011.

2012

KIPP DC: KEY Academy students focus on acquiring the academic, intellectual, and character skills necessary for success in high school, college, and the competitive world beyond. As KIPP DC sixth graders know, they will enroll in college in 2012.

2013

KIPP DC: KEY Academy students focus on acquiring the academic, intellectual, and character skills necessary for success in high school, college, and the competitive world beyond. As KIPP DC fifth graders know, they will enroll in college in 2013.

Assign Yourself

KIPP DC: KEY Academy asks students to be proactive. Rather than waiting for a teacher to give directions, students are expected to assign themselves. Whether coming to class with the correct supplies or standing quietly in line, KIPP DC: KEY Academy students are expected to be responsible for acting appropriately on their own.

The Beat

KIPP DC: KEY Academy uses several chants to help build school spirit and maintain a culture of teamwork and commitment to mission. “The Beat” focuses students on the importance of reading:

“You've got to read, baby, read.
You've got to read, baby, read.
Because reading is knowledge,
And knowledge is power,
The power for college,
AND I WANT IT!”

The Bench

KIPP DC: KEY Academy's in-school suspension program is referred to as “The Bench.” Among other infractions, students can be benched for failing to turn in homework twice in one week, for being disrespectful of their teachers or classmates, or for consistently violating the dress code.

Similar to the concept of being benched from a sports team, students on The Bench are curtailed from participating in certain aspects of school. While they're expected to be in class, in uniform, and on task, they are not permitted to speak with anyone but their teachers. Students also can be benched for talking to someone who is on The Bench.

Time spent on the bench is a student's opportunity to regroup and figure out how to change their behavior to be more successful. Students can get off the bench after resolving the problem that benched them in the first place, and once their parent or guardian comes to school to discuss the problem and the solution with their child's teachers.

Choice & Commitment

One of the Five Pillars. Students, their parents, and the faculty of each KIPP School choose to participate in the program. No one is assigned or forced to attend KIPP DC: KEY Academy. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to the school and to each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success.

Commitment to Excellence Contract

All faculty, students, and parents / guardians sign KIPP DC: KEY Academy's Commitment to Excellence Contract, vowing to uphold the school's academic and character standards. The contract outlines the school's hours of operation, homework expectations, and uniform requirements. You can view the full contract here.

Credo

All KIPP DC: KEY Academy students and faculty subscribe to the school credo:

If there is a problem, we look for a solution.
If there is a better way, we try to find it.
If a teammate needs help, we give.
If we need help, we ask.

The Five Pillars

All KIPP Schools are based on the Five Pillars – expectations of what makes a successful academic program. The Five Pillars are: High Expectations, Choice & Commitment, More Time, Power to Lead, and Focus on Results.

Focus on Results

One of the Five Pillars. KIPP Schools focus relentlessly 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 succeed in the nation's best high schools and colleges, and in the world beyond.

Florida Trip

Fifth graders who earn enough KEY cash throughout the year are invited to participate in the annual class trip to Florida. Students and their chaperones board a bus from the school and head south on Interstate 95, stopping to visit the KIPP school in Gaston, North Carolina and to tour Duke University. Once in Florida, they visit Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal City Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Ganas

Ganas is the Spanish term for “desire.” Ganas are recognition of student behavior that goes above and beyond what is expected. For instance, rather than laughing at someone who trips, a student demonstrates ganas by helping their classmate pick up their books. Ganas rewards are calculated as part of the paycheck system.

High Expectations

One of the Five Pillars. KIPP Schools have clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses based on 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.

Mission

KIPP DC: KEY Academy'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.

More Time

One of the Five Pillars. KIPP Schools know that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and in 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.

North Carolina Trip

Sixth graders who earn enough KEY cash throughout the year are invited to participate in the annual class trip to North Carolina. Over five days, students and their chaperones visit Wake Forest University, participate in a ropes course, go white water rafting and horseback riding, and hike through the Smokey Mountains.

Paychecks

Paychecks are weekly reports recording students' character development at school. The faculty uses paychecks to communicate with parents about their children's behavior. They describe homework timeliness, teamwork, extra credit, and ganas. Paychecks are sent home weekly for parents' signatures and are then filed with student records.

Paycheck balances are calculated to determine students' eligibility for the end-of-year trips to Florida and North Carolina and, for seventh graders, a third exciting destination yet to be unveiled. Paycheck balances also can be used at the school store to purchase extra uniform shirts, school supplies, college paraphernalia, and snacks.

Power to Lead

One of the Five Pillars. KIPP School principals are effective academic and organizational leaders who understand that great schools require great school leaders. They have control over their school budget and personnel. They are free to swiftly move dollars or make staffing changes, allowing them maximum effectiveness in helping students learn.

Song Fest

Friday afternoon Song Fests are a time of celebration at KIPP DC: KEY Academy. During the weekly all-school assemblies, student achievements are lauded and chants help build community. Students and teachers blow off steam together singing and dancing to classic and modern songs with positive messages about teamwork and self-respect. Favorites include The Beatles' “We Can Work It Out” and Avril Lavigne's “Complicated.”

Tracking

Teachers expect students to “track” the speaker in class and during school assemblies. This means giving undivided attention to whoever is speaking, whether it is the teacher, a classmate or a visitor.

What room is this?

KIPPsters know this is the question faculty ask to hear students' spirited focus on attending college. The answer to the question is: