Academics

Our joyful and academically excellent schools prepare students with the skills and confidence to lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Academics menu:

Academic Calendars

We recognize the importance of keeping our families informed about events and activities on campus.
You can access the 2023-2024 academic calendar for your region below.

Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston San Antonio

Attendance

KIPP Texas takes attendance very seriously. Being present in school every day is the foundation for student achievement and academic success.
If students are not in school, they are missing out on what is being taught and are at risk for experiencing lower academic performance. When absences become a pattern or become a chronic issue, students can fall behind and experience academic struggles as well as experience challenges beyond the classroom.

KIPP Texas knows that every now and then students are going to be absent from school. However, we ask that parents and students make every effort to come to school every day. Should your student miss school, parents/guardians should call the school before the start of the day to let the school know your student will be absent. Parents/guardians who do not notify the school will be contacted by the KIPP staff.

Attendance Policy

KIPP Texas students are expected to be at school every day unless they have spoken with their school leader ahead of time and received permission or have had an excused absence. It is the duty of the parent/guardian to monitor student attendance and make sure the student is in school every day possible.

Excused absences should provide on their return to school (no later than 2 days) a note containing the following:

  • Date the note is written
  • Dates of the absences
  • Student’s full name
  • Student’s grade level
  • Reason for the absence (example: illness,death, or other family emergency/tragedy, religious…etc.)
  • Parent/guardian signature

To view the full Attendance Policy please read the Student Handbook, beginning on page 30.

Download Handbook

student smiling

Special Populations

KIPP Texas is committed to providing a continuum of services so students with all varying levels of disability can attend our schools. We analyze, reflect, and take action with services that provide the most accessible in the least restrictive environment. Collaboration with our families strengthens our programming while building and maintaining strong relationships and communication.

 

Special Education

Special education teachers and paraprofessionals collaboratively plan with general education teachers to ensure that students in special education can thrive in equitable learning environments. Both special education and general education teachers internalize lessons with the lens of increasing strategies and opportunities for students in special education.

Section 504

KIPP has standards and procedures in place for the evaluation and placement of students in the Section 504 program. KIPP also implements a system of procedural safeguards that includes notice, an opportunity for a parent or guardian to examine relevant records, an impartial hearing with an opportunity for participation by the parent or guardian and representation by counsel, and a review procedure.

The designated person to contact regarding options for a student experiencing learning difficulties or regarding a referral for evaluation for special education services is:

  • Austin Region:
    Amber McDaniel, Director of Special Education, 512-501-3643
  • Dallas Region:
    Denare Carter, Director of Special Education, 972-323-4200
  • Houston Region:
    LaConia Nelson, Director of Special Education, 281-520-6397
  • San Antonio Region:
    Jaime Fountain, Director of Special Education, 706-767-3654

Special Programs

In addition to special education and 504, KIPP provides special programs for homeless students, students in foster care, bilingual students, immigrant students, English language learners, and students diagnosed with dyslexia.

For more information about these programs, as well as information regarding available resources from organizations outside of KIPP can be obtained by contacting Mitch Elatkin, 210-734-4500

General Education Homebound Services

General Education Homebound (GEH) services provide instruction to eligible students who are at home or in a hospital setting. Students served through GEH have a medical condition or extended illness that prevents attendance in school for at least four weeks as documented by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. GEH instruction may also be provided to chronically ill students who are expected to be confined for a period of time totaling at least four weeks throughout the school year, as documented by a licensed physician.

All parent requests for GEH services are made directly to the school leader.

Resources:

The following websites provide information and resources for students with disabilities and their families:

The Dyslexia Handbook contains guidelines for school districts to follow as they identify and provide services for students with dyslexia. In addition, information regarding the state’s dyslexia statutes and their relation to various federal laws is included. See links below:

The Texas Transition and Employment Guide provides youth, young adults, parents and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals to education, employment, and community living. Click here for the English Guide. Click here for the Spanish Guide.

 

 

 

Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.
Contact information:
Phone: 1-855-773-3839
Email: inquire@spedtex.org
Live Chat: www.spedtex.org

 

Student Handbook

Download the updated 2022-2023 KIPP Texas Student and Family Handbook below.

Download the 2022-2023 Handbook