Our Schools

Yes, any student can attend KIPP! There are no admissions requirements. KIPP schools are tuition-free, public schools open to all students, including English Language learners and students with special education needs.

Like all public schools, charter schools are open to any student who lives in the enrollment area. There is no entrance requirement, such as testing or prior academic record. At KIPP, if a school has more families wanting to attend than spaces available, we choose applicants at random through a blind lottery.

The enrollment process is relatively simple and is managed at the school level, so the process is different depending on where you live. Use our School Finder to find a KIPP school near you, and learn more about how to enroll.

Yes, we proudly educate all students! KIPP schools ensure full educational opportunity, services, and success for all students regardless of disability, limitation, or circumstance. We are committed to providing rigorous, thoughtful services and support so students with varying levels of ability can attend our schools.

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Yes, all KIPP schools are tuition-free, public schools open to all students. The KIPP Northern California network currently serves over 7,000 students at 23 schools across the Bay Area and Stockton.

Charter schools are tuition-free, independently operated public schools open to all students. They have greater flexibility when it comes to curriculum, teaching methods, and school operations in exchange for increased accountability. Charter schools are open to all students, using a lottery system if demand exceeds available spots.

Like all public schools, charter schools are held to state and federal academic standards, open to all students, including those with disabilities, funded primarily through federal, state, and local tax dollars, and are not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group.

The “charter” that establishes each school is a contract detailing the school’s mission, program plans, performance goals, and methods of assessment. Every public charter school has an authorizer that is responsible for holding the school accountable for compliance with their operating agreement or “charter.” In California, authorizers of charter schools are typically district school boards or county boards of education.

Our schools comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as certification requirements for California public charter school teachers.

KIPP schools employ mission-driven teachers from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and we prioritize helping teachers improve their craft through supportive professional development programs and 1:1 instructional coaching.

To apply to teach in a KIPP school, start here.

When family demand exceeds enrollment capacity at the school, students are admitted based upon on a lottery. Lotteries are typically held in the late winter or early spring.

If students apply after the date of the lottery, they will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, as spaces become available.

Use our School Finder to check with a KIPP school near you for specific dates and details.

KIPP Northern California is part of a national network of public charter schools that has a 30-year track record of preparing students for success in college and life.

There are 278 KIPP schools in 21 states plus the District of Columbia, collectively educating nearly 125,000 students.

KIPP first began in Houston, Texas in 1994. The first KIPP school in California opened in West Oakland in 2002. Since then, we have embarked on a transformative journey, growing to 23 schools across Northern California.