KIPP Gaston: A Region of KIPP Schools
“What we call the beginning is often the end.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.”
- T. S. Eliot
Twelve years ago a brave and committed group of teachers, fifth graders and their families helped transform 27 acres of soybeans and peanuts into a campus dedicated to ensuring that every student would be prepared to attend the college of their choice and positively impact the world. Today those fifth graders are seniors in college and our campus is now home to more than 800 students and 100 staff members working together to continue the fight for educational equality and social justice for all.
Our school is a member of the KIPP network. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is a national network of schools dedicated to preparing traditionally underserved students for college. Every student who walks through our doors has “KIPP cousins” at over 120 schools around the country who are making a similar choice to work harder, behave better, and think more. As one of the first five KIPP schools in the country we are proud to be part of a movement to change the expectations for American public education.
All KIPP schools are charter schools. As a public school of choice, any student in the state of North Carolina can choose to enroll at our school. By making the choice to attend KIPP we (students, parents, and teachers) express our belief in our shared mission and values. Over the past decade our teachers and students have proven what is possible and on Saturday, June 8, 2013 we will celebrate as our fifth class of seniors graduate and head to the colleges of their choice empowered with the skills, character and knowledge necessary for a life full of choices. We are thrilled to begin our twelfth year because not only have we welcomed our founding class of kindergarteners, but this spring will witness the college graduations of members of our founding class, the Pride of 2009.
