25th Anniversary Logo
Donate

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago in a church basement in SE DC, KIPP DC founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, KIPP DC has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students—in preschool through 12th grade—across 22 schools. Together, we’ve celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago in a church basement in SE DC, KIPP DC founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, KIPP DC has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students—in preschool through 12th grade—across 22 schools. Together, we’ve celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago in a church basement in SE DC, KIPP DC founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, KIPP DC has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students—in preschool through 12th grade—across 22 schools. Together, we’ve celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago in a church basement in SE DC, KIPP DC founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, KIPP DC has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students—in preschool through 12th grade—across 22 schools. Together, we’ve celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago in a church basement in SE DC, KIPP DC founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, KIPP DC has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students—in preschool through 12th grade—across 22 schools. Together, we’ve celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Education & Support

At KIPP DC schools, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become Washington, DC’s next generation of leaders.

2001

KIPP DC KEY Academy opens at Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church in Anacostia with 80 5th graders.

2003

KEY Academy earns the highest test scores of all charter middle schools in Washington D.C.

2005

With 500 students enrolled, KIPP DC opens AIM Academy, a Headquarters office and KIPP Through College was founded to support high school alumni through college

2006

WILL Academy opens.

2007

KIPP DC expands beyond middle schools with first early childhood grades at LEAP Academy.

2009

KIPP DC opens first High School, KIPP DC College Preparatory, and the founding class of KEY Academy graduates. The Capital Teaching Residency is also founded this year. Discover Academy and Promise Academy are also open.

2010

Grow Academy opens.

2011

Heights Academy opens.

2012

Lead Academy opens at the Shaw Campus dedication ceremony. Michelle Obama visits KIPP DC Douglass Campus

2013

Connect Academy and Spring Academy opens at the renovated KIPP DC Webb Campus on Mount Olivet Road NE.

2014

Northeast Academy, Art & Technology Academy, and Quest Academy open.

2015

New KIPP DC College Preparatory campus and The Learning Center is founded to enhance our special education program. Also, Jennifer Ramacciotti was named OSSE 2015 Teacher of the Year! KCP Principal Jessica Cunningham wins Milken Educator Award and $25,000. Valor Academy also opens this year.

2018 - 19

Promise Academy and Honors Academy are named National Blue Ribbon Schools in recognition of high student achievement and significant progress in closing achievement gaps.

2019

Somerset College Preparatory and Honor Academy open.

2020 - 21

Pride Academy and Inspire Academy open. KIPP DC shifts operations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and virtually educates all students and offers in-person programming.

2022

KIPP DC opens Legacy College Preparatory in Ward 8, the second high school campus

2022

Shannon Hodge is hired as KIPP DC’s President. Shannon’s deep experience as an educator, attorney, advocate, and school leader made her a fantastic fit to lead the organization.

2025 - 26

KIPP DC supports 7,800+ students across 20 schools and 2,500+ alumni

KIPP DC by the Numbers

KIPP DC has made a huge impact in the lives of our students and teachers over the years. Take a look at some of our impact data!

2,000

Students enrolled in college

550+

College graduates

$50M+

In scholarship dollars earned by KIPP grads in the last five years

3x

College graduation rate than similar DC schools

1,000

Teachers trained by Capital Teaching Residency (CTR)

Nina Meyers

"The teachers there really made sure I had the best academic experience I could have and the support from those people really helped change the trajectory of my life."

Nina Meyers , KIPP DC Alumni

Zyhan Wagne

"My teachers make me feel like I belong. They are the embodiment of team and family at KIPP DC…not just academically but personally, as well"

Zyhan Wagne , KIPP DC Alumni

LeQuan Graham

"What brings me joy is when students come back to visit, even years later. That’s legacy right there."

LeQuan Graham , KIPP DC Teacher

Nihesha Browning

"The support, camaraderie, and the sense that everyone is here for the long term - that’s what makes KIPP DC unique."

Nihesha Browning , KIPP DC Teacher

Nikesha Winston

"My favorite thing about [KIPP DC] is all of the opportunities my daughter has had - dual enrollment, access to AP classes, amazing college tours - it’s really been a good experience for us!"

Nikesha Winston , KIPP DC Family

Curtis Turner

"What we like most about KIPP DC is the interaction. They interact with parents. They interact well with the students. They really push our students to be the best they can be. Thank you, KIPP!"

Curtis Turner , KIPP DC Family

Calendar of Events

Take a look at our upcoming events!

KIPP DC All-Staff Homecoming

Thursday, October 9

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Invitation Only

KIPP DC All-Staff Homecoming will provide a chance for all staff to gather to celebrate 25 years of KIPP DC, honor the foundation built, and connect with one another outside of the day-to-day. The evening will feature a welcome reception, words of gratitude from KIPP DC leadership, alumni, and city partners, along with interactive stations that highlight our past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future. For more information contact events@kippdc.org.