KIPP Aspire Academy

Great school in San Antonio. Teaches life skills, character development, and all required academic standards from the state. The teachers visit every house before the student enrolls to welcome the student and answer any questions parents or students have about the school. They communicate weekly with parents on a paycheck, 3 weeks for progress reports, and 9 weeks for report cards. In addition, the administrators and teachers give cell phone numbers to all parents and students. I LOVE KIPP and the education it has to offer to the children of San Antonio!

My two daughters attend KIPP ASPIRE ACADEMY. They love the fact that they are treated like human beings. Yes, they can be very strict and have many rules, however, the "real world" is lead by many rules that we must follow as productive citizens. It takes a lot of work and teamwork from the teachers, students, administration and parents to make this school work. This is not your typical public school, where you drop off your kid in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon and never know how they are doing in school because the teachers are so overwhelmed with so many kids. A typical middle school has over 900-1200 children attending. KIPP ASPIRE ACADEMY HAS A LITTLE LESS THAN 500, so you better believe that the majority of the teachers know your kids by name. I love that my kids attend this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

I heard all the rave about how great KIPP is and even Oprah loved it, what they didn't say is that they try to run your kid into the ground and lower self esteem! I enrolled my two sons in the program thinking this is going to be a great experience for them and they will walk away with the tools they need to succeed in middle school and high school. Worse mistake I have made for my kids. They would come home exhausted and almost in tears, the school treated them like they were in military boot camp. And yes I did hear about this work bench that they were always in because the homework they turned in wasn't perfect (ex: My son did not capitalize a subject in his heading) thats a little harsh, also the staff was very unprofessional...want to know more contact me arendon at yahoo.com
—Submitted by a parent

I just read some of the review othe parents have posted.. wish there was a way to comment on each. My kids have been at KIPP for 2 yrs and I love it. A parent mentioned that there is no communication with the teachers.. that is a lie. Weekly kids get a "paycheck" that is a way to know how your kid is doing. Take responsability people.. if you have a concern call the teacher!! Everyone is provided with each teachers cell number so THERE ARE NO EXCUSES!! Dnt bad mouth KIPP if your not willing to put the work into helping with your child. It starts at home! Try going to a parent meeting once in a while.. they are held monthly!!
—Submitted by a parent

hi first i want to thank all the teachers and staffat kipp aspire for all of thier hard work and dedication,towards our children.It was a very hard decision for me to send my daughter here,.to kipp. after allthe research i did i decided it was best to get my daughter out of her comfort zone and try something new. her grades at her old were not A's nor B's. but she was comfortable with all the extra curriculum classes she had. now she has A-B honor roll. At her old school she wanted so badly to make the principle list, and she never did. Now she says This is better than her old school, The teacher love her and all of them, she never misses a day and never wants me to pull out early .thank you kipp ....
—Submitted by a parent

My son started st KIPP this school year. We were very excited about all of the opportunities it offered. He was enrolled in Soccer at the start of the school year and was transferred out within a week due to overcrowding, He has tried top participate in various activities but has been dropped or moved due to overcrowding. The lockers do not have locks and he has had school supplies, electronics and other materials stolen from him on multiple occassions. Academically the techers appear committed to the students. He has learned a great deal and the school structure has helped him to excel.
—Submitted by a parent

i have two of my kids there the school is very good but i do think they need more communication with the parents they have to stick to the rules they have and not change then every once in a while
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very hard working , but the school has very little if any curriculum technology for students and has 28 to 30 students per class. The administration expects the culture to be enforced by the teachers who are over worked and consistently hires non-Texas certified teachers who lack the training in Texas expectations for curriculum. Again...the teachers work very hard for the students, but the administration is pathetic!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend Kipp and I am very satisfied with their achievements. The school is very strict and they really push your child to do their best. If the parents are really interested in their childs education then this is the school for you. I am able to call my childrens teachers as late as 9:00 at night to check on any situations and questions. The children are taught more then the TAKS here... Kipp all the way...
—Submitted by a parent

My children go to KIPP Aspire Academy and I have never been happier. They make the students work hard and get prepared for college.
—Submitted by a parent

What an amazing school Kipp is. Prior to moving my children to this school, I did the research and the school has lived up to what I learned. My daughter did very well academically including her TAKS test. Now my son is there and is he is doing well. He refuses to miss a day, including Saturday. I agree with the others that have posted that this school teaching life skills and responsibility.
—Submitted by a parent

I had my son in public school and was having trouble with his attitude and his grades. His grades were in the 60's, he was getting in trouble and the teachers were not communicating with me. I tried getting help throught the school, but that didn't go very good, the problems were still there. I did an extensive search for a new school and when saw the video testimonial of a student on the kipp website i decided to take the chance and give the school a try. In the first month of school i noticed a difference in his attitude and grades. In the first 9 weeks he made the ab honor roll. I am very pleased with this school and i try to tell as many people about it. I would like to thank all the staff for thier outstanding job and dedication towards these children.
—Submitted by a parent

im a student here at aspire and people make it seem like its bad to be here when they just want us to go to college. its acually fun here, i love it
—Submitted by a student

I like the vision the school promotes. These students not only have an educational opportunity, but they gain significant life skills.

The KIPP program is outstanding in general and the San Antonio Aspire branch does everything it possibly can to enrich the lives of it's students. I am the daughter of a teacher and regularly volunteer my time there teaching dance among other things. The kids work incredibly hard (longer hours, summer school, Saturday school) and if it weren't for the school they wouldn't be getting anywhere near the education or attention that they need to thrive.

This is an extraordinary school. My husband and I made the right choice in enrolling our son at KIPP
—Submitted by a parent

my child has attend KIPP since the 5th grade and will not be returning. we were told that our child was failing, I don;t understand how he/she or any other child be failing, these students go to school from 7:30a.m to 5:30p.m. and attend Saturday from 8:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. Communication from the teachers and principal is horrible, (im sure whoever is reading this agrees) key word: COMMUNICATION
—Submitted by a parent

I was so hapy the day they informed us that not 1 but all 3 of my children had won the drawing to be acepted to the school. But it is true that they staff cares more about outside appearances and I am sure that is because of the standards/statistics that they must meet to continue in operation in being a charter school. At one time I am sure that this school was decent, but they have changed the staf so many times. My children have told me how the teachers would talk behind the students backs and used foul language. Some of the students tend to be on bench so much that instead of punishment they welcome it. That to me is like peole that get used to being in and out of prisons. The kids have made a little acronym for the school name KIPP KIDS-IN-PRISON-PROGRAM
—Submitted by a parent

My child currently has attended KIPP for two years and will not be returning. The teacher turnover rate is horrible, the Administration could use some major tweaking, and it would be nice if the food wasn't expired for once. The remaining teachers are beyond fustrated with the out of control children with there quickness to send them to bench or isolation. Their focus is their outside appearance without regards to the inside structure that is need by every school, charter or not.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school it was hard but worth been there they show you that they care and they help you when you are not passing and they don't make you feel dumb there. This school can make you succeed to going on high school and even college. Parents take it from a student who went there and is in high school right know, you should put your child in that school it is really a good oppertunity for your childeren. All I know this school is the best thing that has ever happend to me.
—Submitted by a student