As we bring this year and decade to a close, it is with much gratitude we look back on a year of amazing triumphs. In 2019, we witnessed KIPP DC scholar athletes dominating DC sports, the welcoming of a new campus in Ward 8 with KIPP DC Honor Academy and KIPP DC Somerset College Preparatory, Heights Academy being nationally recognized for their incredible work, and students raising their voices on important citywide issues like Safe Passage. None of these accomplishments could have happened without the support of all of the community members, partners, and families who worked tirelessly alongside KIPP DC. For this, all of us at KIPP DC would like to extend a large and well deserved “Thank you”.
We are looking forward to deepening our community efforts to ensure an even brighter 2020 for our students, families, and community.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year,
Althea Holford
KIPP DC Heights Academy Named 2019 National Blue Ribbon School
We’re proud to celebrate KIPP DC Heights Academy being named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! This year, KIPP DC Heights Academy is one of only three DC public schools to receive this distinction. This is a tremendous achievement for students, families, staff, and the Ward 8 community. We’re eager to continue empowering more students in Ward 8 in the coming years.
KIPP DC Celebrates Parent at Appreciation Event
In January, we were especially honored to recognize the contributions of so many of our parents at the Parent Appreciation Event. School leaders, students, and parents alike gathered inside the Anacostia Arts Center for a night of fellowship and gratitude. Parental involvement is a cornerstone of a great education, and we’re proud to continue this work with such terrific parents in the new year.
2nd annual Young Men’s Empowerment Summit
During early spring 2019, we welcomed nearly 200 young men and their fathers, mentors, and father-figures to the 2nd annual Young Men’s Empowerment Summit. The day consisted of empowering discussions, on self-determination, sexual health, high school transitions, and mentorship. We’d also like to extend a special thanks to the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, DC Transit Officers, DC Public Defenders Office, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for joining us for a great day.
2nd annual G.E.M.S. Summit
In March, we kicked off Women’s History Month with our annual G.E.M.S. Summit! We welcomed girls, mothers, and mentors for a day of empowerment and professional development. This year, the sessions emphasized economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for young girls of color. We were grateful to have so many great session leaders and women entrepreneurs join us to empower the next generation of business owners, entrepreneurs, and their families!
KIPP DC College Preparatory Wins First DCSAA Championship
We were thrilled to be at the Sports & Entertainment Center in Ward 8 to cheer on the KIPP DC College Preparatory boys basketball team as they competed in the DCSAA Class-A Championship game! In a thrilling game, the KCP Panthers came out on top with a 55 -47 win. In the spring, our lady panthers won gold at the DCSAA track championship! We are proud of our students, who work hard inside and outside of the classroom! We look forward to celebrating many more championships at KIPP DC College Preparatory in the future.
Safe Passage Citywide Convening at KIPP DC College Preparatory
This year, through our partnership with the Deputy Mayor for Education’s Office, we hosted a series of Safe Passage town halls at schools across Washington, DC that culminated with a citywide convening at KIPP DC College Preparatory on May 15. More than 200 attendees were joined by Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, as well as leaders from WMATA, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other community organizations to find solutions that remove one barrier towards a great education—safe travel for students to and from school.
KIPP DC Launches Alumni Association
This May, we launched the KIPP DC Alumni Association! With a growing alumni network, it is our goal to provide and curate a space where former students, parents, and teachers can re-connect, engage, and help grow the KIPP DC community. We were beyond grateful to be alongside dozens of our young alumni and even some former KIPP DC teachers.
KIPP DC and Somerset PCS Partner in 2019
In 2019, we announced our partnership with Somerset Public Charter School and ultimately welcomed them as the newest team & family members to KIPP DC! Nearly 300 students, families, and staff joined us to celebrate at KIPP DC Somerset Team & Family Day. The day, held at the DC Pavilion, included food, face painting, free haircuts, moon bounces, a water slide, and even a rock-climbing wall for students and families to enjoy. It was great seeing all of our new families at the KIPP DC Somerset Campus come together to enjoy a Saturday of fun.
Ferebee-Hope Community Meetings
This year we were proud to partner with our community, students, staff, and constituents as we prepared a proposal for KIPP DC’s permanent second high school facility. In Summer 2019, the Mayor’s office released the Ferebee-Hope recreation site for redevelopment. With KIPP’s DC growing student population and the need for a redeveloped community center and high school site in Ward 8, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for our students. We worked hard to get input from every community member, parent, community organization, and ANC commissioner. In the end, we feel good about our comprehensive proposal and await a decision. We look forward to working more on this effort in the new year.
