More
Close 
Dear KIPP Texas Families,
I can hear the nervous chatter throughout my house as my own three children prepare to go back to school tomorrow, Wednesday, August 17, alongside our KIPPsters. Whether it’s starting high school for my eldest daughter, transitioning to middle school, or starting school for the very first time in pre-K, tonight is full of wonder, excitement, and likely some anxiousness for our children. Our family tradition is to sit on the floor right before bedtime and read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn together as a family. Then, it’s off to bed with a little bag of sparkles and a note with our hopes for the school year safely tucked under their pillows so they have sweet dreams.
As Big KIPPsters (staff), we just can’t wait to welcome our 34,000 Little KIPPsters tomorrow safely and joyously. We can’t wait for the smiles at arrival, the sweet sound of laughter in our hallways, the endless chatter in our cafeterias, and all of the fist bumps and high fives as Little and Big KIPPsters reunite in community or meet for the first time.
Throughout the summer, our KIPP Texas staff have worked hard to give your child the BEST Little KIPPster experience possible this new school year. From morning drop-off, lunchtime, recess fun, or for our older KIPPsters, the excellent electives we have lined up for them, our staff has been thinking of how to make your Little KIPPster’s time with us a joyful memory that will last a lifetime.
Just yesterday, the TEA announced that KIPP Texas received an overall accountability rating of “B”, earning a score of 86. We have maintained our pre-pandemic score of 86 B from 2019. Plus, 75% of 56 rated schools have achieved an A or a B, and we earned an “A” Rating in the School Progress Domain. Talk about a win! We are proud of our Little KIPPsters!!
Let’s continue on this path to success and resilience. Our mission is, “Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose — college, career, and beyond — so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.”
I look forward to walking this path with you, our families, to guide our students to success and to fulfilling our mission.
Together, let’s make this our best school year yet. We look forward to seeing you bright and early tomorrow morning! Please help us spread the joy by sharing your children’s first day of school pictures with us on social media. Find our series of KIPP Texas printables on our website, and use the hashtag #KIPPBringJoy or #KIPPBack2School22!
With gratitude,
Sehba Ali
CEO of KIPP Texas
