KIPP Texas - Houston

KIPP CONNECT Preparatory

6700 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77074, USA 281-879-3023

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Grades Served 2022-23 SY 6-12

Founded 2018

Teachers 38

Students 584

KIPP CONNECT completes the growth of our Pre-K through 12th grade community school serving the neighborhoods of Gulfton and Sharpstown in southwest Houston. Our vision is to create a learning community fueled by personal connections and focused on college readiness. Our school will empower our students with three key beliefs: We BELONG here; we seize every opportunity to BECOME our best; and together, we PERSIST in the pursuit of excellence and justice – now and in the future. We create personal connections and a network of support through daily advisory meetings, and we offer a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum through an AP for All course sequence and a growing fine arts program.

Justin Monarez

School Leader

Justin Monarez was born in El Paso, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border. As a byproduct of growing up on the wall, in a single-parent household, and attending low-income schools, his interest in education was fueled by the awareness and interrogation of his own experiences on the border. He joined KIPP Texas in the summer of 2019. He has made Southwest Houston his home and loves working with the students at KIPP CONNECT.

Mr. Monarez started his teaching career with the 2012 Teach for America corps in Metro Atlanta as a high school science teacher. Since then, he has served in several roles, from a middle school Science/Math teacher in El Paso to a STEM instructional coach in central Los Angeles. As Assistant Principal at KIPP CONNECT High School, he focused on providing rigorous STEM and English instruction, fostering inclusive spaces, implementing restorative practices, and crafting solid student-male leadership. Mr. Monarez advocates for BIPOC students and Latinx communities by finding opportunities to lift those voices.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in El Paso and a Master’s from the University of California in Los Angeles. He is a proud El Pasoan, Chicano Son, Tio, musician, Spanglish speaker, and dog dad. Mr. Monarez is excited to lead KIPP CONNECT Prep, the first 6-12 school in KIPP Texas!