Knowledge is Power at KIPP Denver Collegiate High School

Photo by Donnell Rosenberg 

KIPP Denver Collegiate High School (KDCHS), a DPS charter school, opened today with 130 9th graders.   

As stated in their brochure, KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) "is a network of over 80 free, open enrollment public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States."  This is the second KIPP school in Denver; the first opened in 2002 and is a 5th - 8th grade middle school, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy (the two schools are separated by a parking lot).  The KIPP vision for Denver is for a total of 9 schools across the Metro Area in the next several years.  The third, a middle school, will open in Northeast Denver in 2011.

Knowledge is Power (Photo by Donnell Rosenberg)

Though this is the first official day of school for the KIPP 9th graders, they spent five days at Colorado College, staying in dorms, preparing for the school year.  The idea was that students were starting where they will finish---college.  They spent time becoming acquainted with staff and each other, discussing values within the school, and deciding their mascot (the Tiger; white, specifically). 

Rebecca Holmes, Executive Director of KIPP Schools Colorado explained that part of the KIPP model is a commitment to seeing students through high school, into college and through college.  To this end, there is a Director of KIPP Through College who follows the Sunshine Peak graduates as they are making their way through high schools around the state and nation.  Those same students will be followed and encouraged throughout college,

College Bound (Photo by Donnell Rosenberg)

As noted in the brochure, "Currently, only 11% of low-income students in Denver go on to earn a college degree."  Nationally less than 1 out of 5 low-income students attend college, yet nearly 80% of KIPP alumni nationwide have continued on to colleges and universities.  KIPP Colorado Schools hope for similar, if not better, results right here in Denver. 

The message, even in the middle school, is clear:  all students are college bound.  This is evidenced by students as young as 7th grade visiting college campuses.  Also, signs like the one in the picture are seen on the Sunshine Peak campus, showing the colleges attended by the founding teachers. 

KIPP Sunshine Peak alumni who have not yet started school have been on campus in recent weeks assisting staff with preparing the building for the first day.  There were several in the building today busily serving numerous needs.  

KDCHS is sharing a building with Rishel Middle School.  Though the building is old, the KIPP walls are fresh with new paint.  The halls and classrooms are full of students, excited about their new school and ready to learn.  Best of luck to the students of KIPP Colorado Schools in achieving a bright and prosperous future.

For more information, visit the websites of KIPP Denver Collegiate High School and KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy.  To learn how you can support KIPP Colorado Schools with your time or monetary donation, please contact Mandy Hughes at 303-513-1144 or mhughes@kippcolorado.org.