KIPP Academy of Opportunity School

I LOVE KAO!!!! This school has been through a lot but it continues to be a team and family that I will always be a part of!
--Submitted by a parent

This school rocks! It has changed my child forever and he's only in the 6th grade! My son comes home so excited about all the stuff he learned, working hard for the paycheck dollars. The teachers here work SO HARD to make sure my kid has everything he needs. The school makes me feel welcome too. It invites me to help interview teachers, has celebrations during the holidays and keeps me informed about what's happening at the school. THANK YOU KAO!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

KAO represents what a community school is all about. Yes, it is true that KAO has been through some trying times, but that is no different than the situation of our households, city, state and country. But the inspiring difference is that the parents, staff, and students stuck together and worked to improve the current environment and future of this school. The proof of a great school is not profile during good times, but how it holds up in adversity. KAO is a strong and stable learning institiution. Your child will benefit from what it has to offer.
--Submitted by a parent

Can we sing "Kumba Ya" now? Talk about calm waters! I am a KIPP KAO alumni parent whose son culminated from this school and is also in a private school on a full scholarship. The executive directors over KIPP, instead of pruning, chopped down the trunk and all of the vital limbs with it. It took an entire semester of losing dynamic teachers, staff, parents and students for them to get it. But finally, honoring the stakeholders and finally remembering it should be about the children primarily, the school leader was removed and replaced by Mr. Mark Juthaba. In his lead there has been almost an instant calm. Example: At the first meeting announcing his taking over as principal, the largest turn out of parents all year showed up. Every single person in that hall was peaceful. Not one negative comment was made and we all wanted to do all possible to make Mr. Juthaba's transition easier. Since that moment the children who had lost their motivation to do well started doing well again. Fewer and fewer disciplinary slips and detention sessions were evident. Scores increased and we see and 'feel' an awful lot of more smiles! Welcome back KIPP KAO!
--Submitted by a parent

Don t do It. At this point this school is an example of Bait and Switch . My child has attended for four years. The first two years were ok, but of late they have had high teacher turnover in key areas like math. Their 7th grade math teacher was fired last year at midyear. This year we have already lost the 8th grade algebra teacher. New for this year, is a principal that can only be described as a Prison Warden . She has taken a good basic school theory and destroyed it with unnecessary rules and regulations. Like bathroom tickets (only Six for the year), Silent Lunches for all grades. Something as simple as turning in late homework is now a offence punishable by suspension. The New rules have actually reduced the learning opportunities. The School has become more punitive in nature, which has greatly hurt the learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Great School, but still a work in progress.
--Submitted by a parent

I was just wondering what other options are out there for students. I am beginning to think that perhaps this is not the school for my student as well. He will be entering the 7th grade in September of this year....
--Submitted by a parent

My family has been at KAO for 6 years now, and have graduated 2 students. My son who was a top student now attends a private day school on full scholarship. My daughter who struggled to make good grades, was not one of the best students academically, but she worked hard and was supported at home and at school by KIPP's wonderful students and graduated last week with honors and will be attending boarding school on full scholarship next fall. KIPP is a reward based school and recongizes students that work hard.
--Submitted by a parent

My son started at KIPP as a 5th grader, he just completed the 7th grade. He struggled at KIPP from the start, but with each improvement, I thought "maybe it'll be ok, especially since there was nowhere else to send him". General public school was not an option. If your child isn't an A/B student and being teacher's pet, they will not be noticed. With having teachers that are not completely certified (and some don't have the experience of child rearing), the teachers don't know how to handle a child that is not "text book". I had to make a tough decision to take my son out of KIPP and have found a much better, open and thriving opportunity for him. Good luck. To all parents, be sure to talk to your kids, don't just think that the teachers are telling you the whole truth!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been at kipp since the 5th grade. Now she is in the 7th grade and She's excellent student with a 4.0GPA. She loves this school and all of her teachers are very helpfull, As parents we need to be involve in our childrens schooling other wise to conplaint about all the homework that they get is not going to help our kids to suceed in this world. Parents help your kids academic by been there to help them be involve with teachers on what your child needs help on. It helps them to grow and We as parents show them responsibility.
--Submitted by a parent