New San Antonio Campus

Tuition, Transportation, Meals FAQs

Is there a tuition associated with KIPP Texas Schools?

KIPP Texas is part of the free public school system in Texas. There are no admission fees or tuition.

Are entrance exams required to attend a KIPP Texas Public School?

KIPP Texas students enter by lottery, with no test for admission and no screening. Click here to learn more about KIPP Texas and the lottery.

Where can I find out if my student is eligible for free transportation (yellow bus)?

You can learn more about our free transportation here.

Does the school provide free breakfast and lunch for the students?

Yes, KIPP Texas provides free breakfast and lunch for all students each day. There is no need to qualify.

What is the uniform policy? Where can uniforms be purchased?

KIPP Public Schools do have a uniform policy that our campuses outline in their respective handbooks. Please check back here for updated information on the uniform requirements for this new campus as the handbook is being updated for 2022-2023.

Academics, Culture, Student Services FAQs

What is the academic philosophy of KIPP Texas Public Schools?

Together with our families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare our students to pursue any path they choose—college, career, and beyond— so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Our success in achieving the mission of creating equitable and joyful schools rests heavily on all members of our instructional team fully embracing four elements of our design: Culture, Alignment, Rigor/Ratio, and Engagement. A strong and positive culture is our lifeblood. Creating a rigorous, joyful student culture that drives learning and character development is paramount to our success. We rely on aligned curriculum as an important lever in the Teaching and Learning cycle while also acknowledging that an effective teacher is the highest lever in the cycle. We believe that without struggle, there can be no progress. Therefore, we believe that our students should be engaged in rigorous and productive struggle in order to reach the demands of college-readiness. We base our belief about engagement in research-based practices and neuroscience. Research has shown us that deep learning only happens when people are cognitively and emotionally engaged with the material in front of them and when people feel safe in their environment.

Our primary schools are founded on community, care and the cultivation of a love for learning. Our goal is for students to love school from the very start. There is a strong emphasis on Foundational Literacy, Conceptual Math, and exposure to STEAM experiences (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).

Middle school is the place and space to begin the development of our student’s identities as informed and engaged citizens of their school, communities, and of the world. They learn to think deeply, to write passionately, and to engage thoughtfully with rigorous learning experiences.

High schools are designed to ensure students explore the possibilities beyond high school in a safe environment. They build their intellectual expertise through rigorous coursework and AP/IB classes. They feed their thirst for learning and leadership through a broad range of learning experiences whether it is advocacy, class debates, taking action in their communities, bringing us inspiration through the arts, designing new prototypes, compete athletically, and so much more. They graduate ready to choose a path that creates a fulfilling life whether it is college or another viable path.

Our primary responsibility is to provide an instructional program in which students will be given the opportunity to master the fundamental skills of reading, writing, listening, speaking, spelling, and mathematics. Likewise, other fundamental learnings in the arts, literature, foreign language, natural sciences, social sciences, physical education, and college and career readiness skills must be provided for all student. Recognition must be given to and provisions made for the individual capabilities, creative talents, needs, and interests of each student.

Does KIPP Texas use social-emotional learning?

Yes, KIPP Texas incorporates the four key cognitive, affective and behavioral competencies of social-emotional learning: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

What grade levels does the campus have in 2023-2024? Will you add other grades in the years to come?

The campus will open with grades Pre-K4-2nd and 6th-12th in 2023. In each year that follows, KIPP intends to build out the campus so that it will eventually become a Pre-K4 through 12th grade campus.

What are the school’s hours?

This campus’s hours are yet to be determined. However, please note that Somos (elementary) and Poder (High School) may have different start and end times due to transportation logistics. Please check back soon for this announcement.

What is the school’s 2023-2024 academic calendar?

The academic calendar for the 2023-2024 school year is not yet determined. Please check back soon for this announcement. You can learn more about our San Antonio region’s schools here.

My child requires, or may require student support services. What services do you provide?

KIPP Texas offers comprehensive student support services including but not limited to speech, special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more. As with all public schools, these services are dependent on your child qualifying for them based on recommendations from our student services team and or your child’s physician or other health care expert.

What sports and extracurricular activities will be offered?

Yes! KIPP Texas believes in a well-rounded student, and each school offers a variety of activities, clubs, and sports. Programs may vary by grade level, but at Callaghan we expect to offer the following:

• Soccer
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Cross Country/Track
• Cheerleading
• Chess Club
• Debate Team
• Disney Club
• Film Club
• Japanese Club
• Meals/Cooking Club
• Meditation Club
• Music Club
• Origami Club
• Skateboarding
• Student Counsel
• Tarot Club
• Video Game Club
• Walking Club
• Yearbook Team

Is there a parent handbook to review?

The parent handbook for the upcoming school year is currently being revised. Please check back for a link to this document once it has been updated and published. In the meantime, please check out our KIPP Texas website and Facebook page to learn more about our network and the students and families we serve.

What are KIPP Texas’ results?

You can learn all about KIPP Texas’ results by visiting this page.

What support does KIPP offer following high school graduation for students?

KIPP Forward is a program designed to help our KIPPsters go to and through college and lead a choice-filled life. KIPP Texas counselors work with students starting in middle school to select the right classes, fill out the FAFSA and other college scholarship forms, prepare to take the ACT, and support them as they prepare for and select the right college and career based on their interests and passions. After high school, KIPP Texas advisors help alumni navigate the academic, social, and financial challenges they might encounter while in college or pursuing a career. Learn more about KIPP Forward College.

Who are the school leaders?

The school leaders for our Callaghan Road campus are Ms. Stephanie Lee and Ms. Brittany Hill. You can read a bit more about them below.

Stephanie has her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. Ms. Lee started her educational career in 2007 in Edgewood ISD for seven years she taught eight grade math, served as an Algebra Readiness Coach and an Instructional Facilitator. In 2013, she joined KIPP where she served as a seventh grade Math Teacher and later an Assistant Principal. In 2020, Ms. Lee accepted a role as a Principal in Residence at KIPP Poder. In her free time, Ms. Lee enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and step fitness.

Brittany Hill has been a part of the KIPP Texas – San Antonio Team and Family for eight years, first serving as an honors biology instructor, science content team chair, and course leader at KIPP University Prep for five years. Following her time at KIPP UPrep, she moved to KIPP Somos Collegiate as the founding STEM assistant principal, where she served for two years. At KIPP Somos, she most recently was a principal in residence for the 2022 school year before transitioning to school leader. She will be the founding school leader at KIPP Somos Collegiate at Callaghan Road.

Brittany graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the illustrious Howard University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Science Education from Georgia State. Before moving to Texas, Brittany taught at a public charter school in Clayton County, Georgia, for two years as a physics and chemistry teacher. As an educator with ten years of experience, her passion is in providing students with increased exposure and opportunities in STEM.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” — President Barack Obama

Learning More & The Enrollment Process FAQs

Where else can I read more about KIPP and what’s going on at KIPP campuses across Texas?

You can check out our KIPP Texas blog here that is updated weekly with the latest and greatest KIPP news.

Can I tour the new campus?

Our campus is not finished being built, so we can’t have any school tours for our new campus yet. However, you can still sign up for a school tour learning session by clicking here for KIPP Somos Collegiate or click here for KIPP Somos Primary.

How do I apply and/or enroll?

You can apply to join one of our KIPP schools here. Please note that the campus on Callaghan Road will not open until August of 2023. However, you can apply for one of our other campuses for the 2022-2023 school year, ahead of the Callaghan Road campus opening. Should you enroll for the 2022 school year, you can transfer your student the following year.

When is the lottery run? When will our family know if we will be offered a seat?

KIPP’s lottery is held each February for the following school year. Following that date, your family will find out immediately whether you have been accepted and offered a seat or placed on a waiting list for the next year. You can learn more about our lottery and registration process by scrolling down to the bottom of this page. Families who already attend a KIPP school do not have to enter the lottery. These families can transfer their child to another campus without going through the lottery process.

What’s the difference between applying and registering?

Applying is the first step in the enrollment process for all families. You must apply for each student to have his or her application in the lottery before it is run at the end of February. From there, families who are offered a seat must formally register to secure their seat for the following school year. This is the formal process of bringing in or uploading your child’s documents (social security card, birth certificate, etc.) so we can create an official student profile for them. At that point, when your child’s file is complete, their seat is secured for the upcoming school year.

Where can I learn more about the lottery, application process, waitlists, transferring, etc.

You can learn all about these topics and more by scrolling down to the bottom of this page and reading through our FAQs.

Can I transfer to another campus?

We believe that students, families and schools are served by consistency. As such, we always intend for returning KIPPsters to attend the same school until the student completes the highest grade level offered by that school. It is our intent to continue to serve and provide transportation to as many students as possible at their current schools. We will never require anyone to change schools. However, we recognize that family circumstances may mean that transferring schools is preferable for the student. More details on the process will be provided when the transfer window is open. The Transfer Window for SY22-23 opens in January 2023.

How can I get involved and help support the KIPP Texas mission?

KIPP Texas welcomes your support! Please visit our Advocacy page to learn more.

How can I tour other KIPP schools?

You can tour other KIPP schools by visiting our school tours page here.