KIPP Texas Together: May Family Newsletter

A Message from the ceo

Dear KIPP Texas Families and Little KIPPsters,

We are officially in the home stretch! With our last day of school arriving this Friday, May 22, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared. From our enriching classrooms in Austin to the vibrant hallways of Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, this year has been defined by the brave hearts and collegiate minds that make KIPP Texas so special.

Looking back, 2025-2026 has been a year of remarkable growth. We’ve seen our students master new languages, conquer complex math, and find their voices through the arts and athletics. We celebrated the expansion of our literacy programs, cheered on championship-winning teams, and watched as our KIPPsters deepened their commitment to their communities. Every milestone reached was a testament to the grit and joy that live within our schools.

I want to extend a special thank you to our Teachers and School Leaders, who are the heartbeat of KIPP Texas. This year, I have watched you lead with unwavering dedication, turning every challenge into a spark for learning. Whether you were piloting innovative new curricula, mentoring a student through a difficult moment, or celebrating a “lightbulb” breakthrough, your impact is immeasurable. Thank you for choosing our Little KIPPsters every single day and for being the champions they deserve.

Our mission is also fueled by our community partners; your investment, advocacy, and support are the catalysts for our growth. You help us provide the resources and opportunities that prove what is possible for our students is truly limitless.

To our seniors: This is your month. Graduation is the culmination of years of persistence, and I cannot wait to see you walk across the stage and begin your next great chapter

With deepest gratitude,

Sehba Ali

CEO, KIPP Texas

Academics

Celebrating Excellence: Class of 2026

KIPP Texas proudly celebrates the Class of 2026. Commencement season is a significant milestone that serves as a profound reflection of the dedication and academic excellence these students have demonstrated throughout their time with us. We warmly invite our families and friends to join us in celebrating our seniors at graduation ceremonies held across the state:

 KIPP Texas 2026-2027 Access Your Student’s STAAR & State Assessment Results

As we wrap up the school year, we want to ensure you have all the tools necessary to track your child’s academic progress. All State Assessment data, including STAAR scores, can be accessed through the Skyward Parent Portal or at www.texasassessment.gov.

Please keep in mind that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) sets the score release dates. Because these are estimated windows, it can often take 2–3 days for all individual scores to populate. We appreciate your patience!

🔗 Helpful Resources

• Directions to Access the Skyward Parent Portal
• Directions to Access the Parent Portal Via Cambium

TEA Parent Flyer: English | Spanish

A Look Ahead

• Friday, May 22: Last Day of School!
• Monday, May 25: Memorial Day (Offices Closed)
• Friday, June 19: Juneteenth (Offices Closed)
• Saturday, July 4: Fourth of July.

2025-26 Academic Calendars

bring joy

The Power of Choice: Commitment Ceremonies

In The news

From Houston Student to National Award-Winning Educator

From Houston Student to National Award-Winning Educator Luis Trejo’s journey has come full circle. After growing up in the very Houston neighborhood where he now teaches, Mr. Trejo was recently named one of 10 winners of the Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award—a national honor that includes a $10,000 prize. Known for his “heart and hustle” at KIPP Connect Primary, Luis is more than a STEM teacher; he is a mentor, a department lead, and a living example of what is possible for our Little KIPPsters. Join us in celebrating Mr. Trejo’s incredible achievement!

Read the full story on the KIPP Texas Blog.

Inside the Heart and Sol of KIPP Texas

We recently wrapped up Operations Appreciation Week (May 11–15) by celebrating the incredible staff who keep our schools running and our students supported. We are thrilled to share that the KIPP Foundation announced the winners of the 10th Annual Heart and SOL (School Operations Leader) Awards, with a special focus on Excellence in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism. Out of 16 leaders recognized nationally for their dedication to student attendance, we are proud to announce that three of our very own KIPP Texas champions were honored: Sabrina Goodman (KIPP Prime College Preparatory), Davola Johnson (KIPP Nexus Middle School), and Daisy Martinez (KIPP Austin Obras).

These outstanding leaders were selected for their relentless efforts in maintaining low chronic absenteeism or driving significant year-over-year improvements at their campuses. By ensuring our students are in class and ready to learn every single day, they serve as the backbone of our school communities. We hope you will join us in congratulating Daisy, Sabrina, and Davola for this prestigious national achievement. To all our operations teammates: thank you for the vital work you do behind the scenes. You truly are the “Heart and SOL” of KIPP!

Lady Cardinals Soccer Secures Historic State Championship “Three-Peat”

The KIPP Austin Collegiate Lady Cardinals made history on Saturday, May 2, by securing their third consecutive Soccer State Championship in a dominant 4-0 victory over the Houston Regional Champions, Yes Prep Southwest. Held at Prairie View A&M University, the match was a masterclass in tactical execution and teamwork. The victory was fueled by the veteran leadership of the senior class, whose experience anchored the team’s performance, while the offensive contributions from the freshman class highlighted the depth and future potential of the roster.

This historic “three-peat” is the result of a cohesive strategy led by the coaching staff and a relentless work ethic shared by the entire team. By maintaining this high standard of performance over three straight seasons, the coaches and student-athletes have solidified a lasting legacy of success for the KIPP Texas athletic program. Congratulations to the coaching staff, the graduating seniors, and the rising talent on the Lady Cardinals roster for this extraordinary achievement.

Creativity and Community: Celebrating Our Student Artists at Asia Society Texas!

The KIPP Student Art Showcase at Asia Society Texas was a wonderful success, bringing a beautiful vision from one of our very own KIPP teachers to life through an incredible opportunity for our campuses to share their work and celebrate as a community. The wide range of unique student pieces beautifully projected strong emotions and cultural pride, proving that our talented KIPPsters possess deep technical skills and creativity that have been thoroughly nourished by our phenomenal educators. We want to highlight Mr. Gibory, Ms. Rena, Ms. Tristan, Ms. DeOcha, and Ms. Ramirez for the incredible “HEART work” they do every single day to guide these young artists.

One of the major highlights of the event was talking with Mr. Gibory’s protege, Kier Castillo, who created an amazing Geisha piece. Kier is officially heading to UT Austin to study Arts and Entertainment Technologies, pursuing video game design, which is exactly the kind of confidence and success we hope to foster for all of our KIPPsters through a strong ecosystem of support. Please join us in celebrating the immense talent and hard work of our amazing students and teachers!