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 of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

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 fifth graders.

2003

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

2005

KIPP DC AIM Academy opens its doors in SE DC, expanding access to high-quality education in Washington, DC.

KIPP DC establishes its first Headquarters office, providing a central hub to support staff, schools, and operations across the city.

KIPP Through College is founded to support KIPP DC high school alumni on their journey to and through college.

2006

KIPP DC WILL Academy opens in Washington D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood.

2007

KIPP DC KEY Academy is the 1st KIPP DC school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

2007

KIPP DC expands beyond middle school by opening its first preschool grades at KIPP DC LEAP Academy, located on the Benning Road campus in Southeast DC.

2009

KIPP DC College Preparatory opens, marking an important milestone in providing a full PreK–12 pathway for students.

The founding class of KIPP DC KEY Academy celebrates their 8th grade graduation, becoming the first cohort to complete middle school at KIPP DC.

KIPP DC launches the Capital Teaching Residency, a teacher training program designed to develop the next generation of excellent educators.

KIPP DC continues to grow with the opening of KIPP DC Discover Academy and KIPP DC Promise Academy, both located in SE DC.

2010

KIPP DC expands its Shaw campus with the opening of a new preschool, KIPP DC Grow Academy.

2011

KIPP DC expands its Douglass campus with the opening of a new elementary school, KIPP DC Heights Academy.

2012

KIPP DC Douglass Campus welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama for an inspiring visit.

KIPP DC celebrates the opening of KIPP DC Lead Academy during a special dedication ceremony at the Shaw Campus.

2013

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

2014

KIPP DC Northeast Academy, KIPP DC Art & Technology Academy, and KIPP DC Quest Academy open in NE DC.

2015

Jessica Cunningham, Principal of KIPP DC College Preparatory, is honored with the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 prize.

2015

Celebrating excellence in teaching, Jennifer Ramacciotti receives the prestigious OSSE Teacher of the Year award.

2015

KIPP DC expands with the opening of a new campus for KIPP DC College Preparatory.

KIPP DC also launches The Learning Center, dedicated to supporting diverse learners.

KIPP DC continues to grow with the opening of KIPP DC Valor Academy, a middle school at KIPP DC’s Smilow Campus.

2018

KIPP DC Promise Academy is named a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap. It becomes KIPP DC’s second school to be given this recognition.

2019

KIPP DC Heights Academy Academy is recognized as the 3rd KIPP DC school to be named a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

2019

KIPP DC acquires Somerset College Preparatory, a 6-12th grade public charter, that later becomes KIPP DC’s Wheeler Campus and KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory.

KIPP DC Honor Academy opens in SE DC.

2020

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

KIPP DC Pride Academy and KIPP DC Inspire Academy open at KIPP DC’s Wheeler Campus.

2020

KIPP DC Lead Academy is the 4th KIPP DC school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

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

KIPP DC supports 7,500+ students across 22 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

Higher college graduation rate than similar DC schools

1,000

Teachers trained by Capital Teaching Residency (CTR)

"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

"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 Wagner , KIPP DC Alumni

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

LeQuan Graham , KIPP DC Teacher

"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

"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

"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 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.