As we close out another terrific year, we’re excited to have the opportunity to reflect on all we accomplished together. We’d like to extend a huge “Thank You.” Thanks to all of the community members, partners, and families who worked tirelessly to ensure students in D.C. have access to the best KIPP DC experience. We’ve accomplished a lot this year, and it could not have been done without you. Below you’ll find our Top 8 moments of 2018. We look forward to seeing you in the new year.
– Althea Holford, Managing Director of External Affairs and Real Estate
A Mile In My Shoes
This month, we continued our series of conversations between KIPP DC College Preparatory high school students and D.C. Councilmembers called “A Mile in My Shoes.” The series gives students an opportunity to speak with city leaders on issues that impact them daily. KIPP DC College Preparatory senior, Matriece, met with At-Large Councilmember David Grosso to discuss safe passage for students. To date, KIPP DC students have met with Councilmembers Robert White, Trayon White, and David Grosso and look forward to connecting with other city leaders in 2019. Check out their journey on KIPP DC’s Instagram Highlights.
KIPP DC Promise Academy Named National Blue Ribbon School
This year, we proudly celebrated KIPP DC Promise Academy being named 2018 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. It was a true honor to see our KIPPsters’ hard work recognized nationally. Promise Academy is one of only three schools in the District of Columbia to receive this distinction 2018. Check out this video of KIPPsters explaining why they believe their school is deserving of this award!
Stop the Violence, Increase the Peace Rally
In September, we were proud to co-host the 3rd annual “Stop the Violence & Increase the Peace” rally! The rally and walk were organized in partnership with Ms. Veeda Rasheed and brought together a host of community organizations, clubs, churches, and families for a peaceful rally through D.C.’s Ward 7. The rally ended at the Benning Boys and Girls Club, where we heard remarks from At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman, Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, and Metropolitan Police Department Sixth District Commander Durriyyah Habeebullah on the importance of stopping violence in the community. Shout-out to Ms. Ciara Hosein and members of Mayor Barry Youth Leadership Institute for also being vital parts of the rally. Check out more photos.
KIPP DC College Preparatory’s Class of 2018 Commencement
On June 7, we proudly attended the KIPP DC College Preparatory 2018 commencement ceremony! It was a pleasure to be alongside teachers, staff, and families celebrating the many achievements of this impressive graduating class. The class of 2018 were accepted into more than 600 colleges and universities from across the country and earned more than $5.5 million in scholarships and grants! During his commencement address Dr. Lomax, CEO of the United Negro College Fund, encouraged students to put their best foot forward and always remember that they belong even through adversity. We were thrilled to see the many hugs, smiles, and a few (happy) tears as families celebrated the success of the next generation of leaders. We look forward to seeing the class of 2018 flourish at colleges, universities, and in careers across the country.
Young Men’s Empowerment and Girls Embracing their Magic & Strength Summits!
In the spring, we brought together middle and high school students from all over Washington, D.C. for a day of conversation and activity at KIPP DC’s first annual Young Men’s Empowerment Summit! In partnership with Mayor Bowser’s D.C. Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys, we welcomed 200 young men, their fathers, and mentors, and hosted a day of empowering discussions, panels, and activities around how to be productive young men in today’s society. Similarly, we also invited young ladies to join us for the first annual Girls Embracing Their Magic & Strength (G.E.M.S.) Summit. In partnership with terrific partners such as G.I.R.L., Inc. and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the G.E.M.S. Summit welcomed girls and women from across the District for a day of empowerment and self-care! The day consisted of a series of sessions that highlighted all girls and women’s need to continue embracing their magic and strength!
KIPP Codes Bootcamp
In the summer, we launched the first KIPP Codes Boot Camp at the KIPP DC Resource Center at our Benning Campus! The ten-week intensive coding boot camp, for adult residents of Ward 7 and Ward 8, brought community members, former students, and entrepreneurs together weekly to learn and implement coding techniques. We were very impressed to see participants create apps, websites, and systems that help tackle everyday problems. Projects ranged from school communication and emergency response tools, to travel agencies, deal finders, and a platform that connects people interested in extreme sports! It was great working alongside participants in both the summer and fall cohorts and we hope that the skills gained allow them to move one step closer to careers in the growing tech industry.
NAF Finance Academy comes to KIPP DC
In August of this year, we kicked off a partnership between the National Academies Foundation (NAF) and KIPP DC College Preparatory and we are proud to offer this unique opportunity to KIPPsters. 40 sophomores are gaining real-word experience and hands-on training from industry leaders, develop financial knowledge and skill through a personalized curriculum, and receive exposure to college-level finance courses and credits! Through both work-based learning and engagement opportunities with business professionals, students will complete their high school journey with a direct path to careers and success in the finance industry. KIPP DC College Preparatory is proudly the first and only high school to host a finance academy for students in Washington, D.C. We’re eager to see this partnership grow and prepare our students for college, careers, and life!
Back to School Events
During August and September, the KIPP DC team was out engaging community members, organizations, and interacting with many of our students and families. As we reflect, we are honored to have taken part in the Penn Branch Civic Association Community Block Party, Ward 7 Day, and the Ferebee Hope Back-to-School Event. At each opportunity, we were able to engage our communities, share critical resources, and meet new faces!
