Regular School Day
8:00am-3:30pm
KIPP Valiant Community Prep Upper (grades 5-8) is a public charter school located on the border of East Palo Alto & Menlo Park. We are located on the same campus as our sister elementary school (grades TK-4).
KIPP Valiant Community Prep’s mission is to empower students to grow into confident, curious, and compassionate individuals who are prepared to succeed in high school and college and lead fulfilling lives. Through rigorous learning, strong relationship building, and an inclusive community, we cultivate passionate thinkers who use their voices to create a more just and equitable world.
Our Student Community
587
students
Principal
We care for ourselves and one another, building strong, supportive relationships.
We take risks, speak up, and stand up for what is right.
We work to create a fair and equitable community where everyone is respected and valued.
We ask questions, explore ideas, and seek to better understand the world around us.
We embrace challenges and continuously learn and improve.
Sample Middle School Schedule
All students are greeted at the entrance, and free breakfast is available. The day officially begins with time in students’ advisory period or homeroom class, which is led by the same teacher every morning and supports kids to build relationships and a sense of belonging on campus.
The day is broken up into periods. After advisory, students rotate through a period schedule of core classes and electives, including math, reading & writing, social studies, and PE.
At lunch, students have time outside of the classroom to socialize, eat, play, and recharge. Free, nutritious lunches are provided for every student!
After lunch, students return to a period schedule. In addition to core classes, students also participate in electives such as drama, music, coding, and art.
After regular day dismissal, KIPP offers free afterschool programming. Your student can stay on campus until the evening for fun and educational extracurricular activities, including sports, performing arts, tutoring, clubs, homework help, and more!
Enroll for the coming school year
Our schools foster a culture of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity through rigorous coursework and individualized instruction that meets the learning needs of every student. A KIPP education, paired with best-in-class college and career counseling, helps students develop the skills needed to succeed in college and life.
100:1
In California, the average college counselor to student ratio is nearly 500:1. At KIPP, it’s 100:1.
KIPP offers a fun and enriching school experience that taps into and develops students’ skills, passions, and leadership.
Our students participate in a wide range of extracurriculars and activities, including competitive athletics, student government, robotics, debate, arts, music, international travel, cultural affinity groups, field trips, and service-based clubs. Many of these opportunities are student-founded and student-led, giving young people meaningful opportunities to take initiative and shape their school communities.
Explore Our Schools
KIPP provides a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students are known, respected, and empowered. We welcome and affirm all students’ backgrounds and identities, and celebrate the richness of a diverse school community.
We also recognize the unique learning needs of each student and offer special education services at all KIPP schools. Our special education program enables students with special needs to learn, grow, and fully participate in their school community.
More About Special Education
Decades of research supports what we know firsthand—joyful and positive school culture has a direct impact on a student’s academic success, mental health, and overall well-being. At KIPP, we are proud to offer wrap-around support for students and families, including mental health programs that take into account a child’s identity, culture, and life experiences. When students experience challenges impacting their ability to thrive in school, our team works with families for a collaborative approach to ensure all students attend, belong, and grow.
Our schools also partner with community organizations to connect families in need with key services, including food, housing, medical, and legal support. Our partners include Housing Authority of San Joaquin, Vision to Learn, YMCA, College Track, Bayview Hunters’ Point Clinic, among many others.
100%
of KIPP NorCal schools have mental health clinicians.
At KIPP Valiant Community Prep (Upper), students engage in a rigorous, college preparatory program designed to build the skills and confidence needed for success in high school, college, and beyond. With a strong focus on literacy and math, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills across all subject areas, including science and social studies.
Our classrooms combine whole-group instruction with personalized learning, using data-driven practices to meet the needs of every student. Through small group instruction, targeted interventions, and literacy workshops, students receive the support and challenge they need to grow as independent, lifelong learners. Grounded in high expectations and culturally responsive teaching, our program ensures students not only master rigorous academic content, but also build the character and confidence to pursue their goals in order to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Students can explore a wide range of extracurricular activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Students participate in sports like soccer, basketball, and volleyball, as well as clubs, art, music, leadership, and more. Many programs are led by teachers and offered in partnership with community organizations, creating a safe and engaging space after school. Students also have access to academic support, homework help, and enrichment activities each day. These experiences help students build confidence, develop new skills, and form strong relationships in order to best support their growth both in and out of the classroom.
At KIPP Valiant Community Prep (Upper), we know that families need reliable, high-quality care that supports their child’s growth from morning through evening.
Students in grades TK-8 can participate in our free expanded learning program, which runs Monday through Friday from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. Each day includes a healthy snack, dedicated homework support, and a mix of enrichment activities and structured play. Students build academic skills, explore new interests, stay active, and develop strong social-emotional skills with a supportive community.
KIPP puts students first. KIPP schools are best-in-class, college-prep public schools in neighborhoods that deserve high-quality options. Most of our students will be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, and we are proud to provide an excellent, tuition-free education in the communities where they live.
Small School Environment
Results for Kids
Excellent Teachers
Our TK-12 Pathway
College & Career Support
Apply
Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year is now open!
Once submitted, you may be contacted by a member of our Enrollment team if additional information is needed.
Applications received after the open enrollment deadline will be considered on a first-come-first-served basis.
Schedule a tour to see our campus or get in touch with our enrollment team for one-on-one support.
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.
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 s 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.
KIPP’s Public Funding Plan, inclusive of:
All LCAP plans can also be found here.
San Mateo County Charter SELPA
101 Twin Dolphin Drive
Redwood City, CA 94065
Contact us via phone (650) 802-5306 or email
