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About Us

Founded in 2003, KIPP Ascend Charter School is a Chicago Public School and part of a nationwide network of 82 KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) schools. KIPP Ascend is a “choice school,” offering a free, public education to any child who wishes to enroll. (If the number of interested students exceeds enrollment capacity, students are chosen through a lottery.)

Our Mission
The team at KIPP Ascend is guided by a simple, yet powerful mission:  to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools and universities, and to have a positive impact on their communities. At KIPP Ascend, students "climb the mountain" to college!

Knowledge is Power
KIPP Ascend is modeled after the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), which was founded in 1994 by Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin. Upon completing their commitment with Teach for America, Feinberg and Levin launched KIPP as a 5th grade program at Garcia Elementary School on the north side of Houston, Texas. Their students' academic success and interest in learning inspired Feinberg and Levin to expand the program beyond one classroom. The following year, KIPP Academy opened in Houston and Levin founded KIPP Academy in the South Bronx, New York. Today, both are recognized nationally as outstanding schools. Thanks to the support of Doris & Don Fisher (co-founders of the GAP clothing stores), the Walton Family Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and other education reform advocates, KIPP is on target to reach its goal of 100 network schools by 2010.

The 5 Pillars
Five basic principles form the “pillars” that are responsible for the success of students at KIPP Schools. They are:

  • Choice + Commitment: The students, parents, and faculty of KIPP Ascend have made a choice to be a part of the school. Everyone signs a Commitment to Excellence agreement at the start of the school year, and are required to put in the time and effort that is necessary to achieve success.
  • High Expectations: KIPP Ascend has clearly-defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct. When it comes to effort and behavior, there are no excuses.  Students are expected to realize a level of academic performance that will enable them to succeed at the nation's best high schools and colleges.
  • More Time: Students at KIPP Ascend are in school from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM , on Saturday, and for three weeks in the summer. All told, KIPPsters spend nearly 60% more time in class than their traditional public school counterparts. More time for students at KIPP Ascend enables them to acquire superior academic skills as well as broaden their horizons with extra-curricular experiences.
  • Focus on Results: Test data is used regularly to guide individual student instruction with a focus on results. At KIPP schools nationwide, student performance on tests and other objective measures consistently outpace district averages.  Nearly 80% of KIPP alumni across the nation are in college.
  • Power to Lead: The administrative team at KIPP Ascend has the power to lead an effective organization, retaining control over all school budget and personnel decisions.  This freedom allows for maximum flexibility and effectiveness in improving student achievement. The staff at KIPP Ascend understands what it takes to build and sustain a high performing school, and has the desire, discipline, and dedication to see its mission put into action.