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The first day of class is just around the corner! We want to make sure that when your child arrives on campus, they are warmly welcomed, and met with the highest academic expectations—and that we are ready to help them achieve. Here is some important information that will help you and your child have a strong start and joyful school experience.
2021-2022 Academic Calendars
Beyond the academic calendar, families are key partners for student success. The academic calendar covers the 2021-2022 school year to help students and their families plan for school holidays, nine week grading cycles, parent conferences, and testing dates. The KIPP Texas academic calendars can always be found on our website or by clicking your regional link below.
Austin Dallas-Fort Worth Houston San Antonio
School Supplies List
We believe that all of our students deserve equal access to the tools they need to succeed. We want our KIPPsters to be able to focus on learning and not have to worry about whether they have a pencil, binder or calculator — or how they’re going to get them. School supply lists will be handed out at Meet the Teacher Night. For questions regarding school supplies, please contact your school directly.
For free school supplies, contact The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, United Way, the Salvation Army, and other local nonprofits who routinely distribute millions of dollars worth of free school supplies.
Teacher Assignment/Meet the Teacher Night
Education is a team effort, and we know that students, families, and teachers, all working together can make this a wonderfully successful year for our students. “Meet the Teacher Night” is a great opportunity to create a relationship and establish communication with your child’s teachers. Schools will be providing information about the date, time and format for this event.
Pre-K Tuition
Your school may offer half day Pre-K 3 and/or full day Pre-K 4 programs on a tuition basis to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements to attend Pre-K for free. In order to be eligible for free Pre-K a child must be at least three or four years of age as of September 1, and must meet and show documentation for one of the criteria outlined by TEA. The list of TEA requirements for free Pre-K can be found in the KIPP Texas Student Handbook. The age and qualifying guidelines are set by the State of Texas, not KIPP Texas Public Schools.
Please note that under Senate Bill 1679, any KIPP Texas Pre-K 3 student who qualifies for free Pre-K 3 will automatically be eligible for free Pre-K 4. New-to-KIPP students will need to provide proof of Pre-K 3 eligibility in order to satisfy this eligibility criterion.
For families who do not qualify for tuition-free Pre-K, KIPP offers Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 with tuition for students who are admitted through the lottery process. The tuition for half day Pre-K 3 is $2,050 per year for the 2020-21 school year and $4,100 for full day Pre-K 4.
Academic Expectations/Policies
At KIPP, we champion equity and do whatever it takes for our KIPPsters to have opportunities to be successful. A student (kindergarten through 12th grade) may not be given credit unless the student is in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. Should a student fall below 90 percent, a promotion committee will meet to determine if the student is prepared for success in the next grade level.
A student who is in attendance for at least 75 percent but less than 90 percent of the days a class is offered may be given credit or a final grade for the class if the student completes a plan approved by the school’s principal that provides for the student to meet the instructional requirements of the class. If the committee determines the student is not prepared for success in the next grade level, the student will be retained for missing too many instructional minutes. For more information about KIPP Texas’ academic expectations and promotion and retention policy, please refer to the KIPP Texas Student Handbook.
Elective Selection
Each of our schools differentiates elective offerings to ensure that classes are offered that align to students’ interests and the required course offerings. We offer a wide variety of electives across schools including fine arts courses in visual and performing arts, physical education courses and electives, and CTE courses in different career pathways. In our high schools, students have the opportunity to create a Personal Graduation Plan with their school’s Dean of Academic Progress; this plan lays out the student’s planned coursework. If you have questions, you can reach out to your child’s school to discuss this plan and their chosen electives.
KIPP Texas is supporting students to discover what a fulfilling life means to them, and breaking through any barrier that dares stand in their way of achieving it. We support students to choose and prepare for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose.
