FAQ

1. What is KIPP STAR?
   

   KIPP STAR College Prep Charter School is a free public school that opened in 2005 and currently serves 275 students in grades five through eight. Students are admitted to KIPP STAR through a lottery regardless of academic record, conduct, or socio-economic background.

   In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to serve KIPP STAR alumni in grades 9-12. We also plan to open an elementary school (Kindergarten through 4th grade) to feed KIPP STAR.
   

2. What sort of results have KIPP STAR and other KIPP NYC schools had?
   

   • On the 2007 New York State tests, 77% of KIPP STAR 8th graders scored at or above grade level in Math, as compared to 46% of 8th graders citywide and 32% of 8th graders in the district where KIPP STAR is located. In English/Language Arts, 63% of KIPP STAR 8th graders scored at or above grade level, as compared to 42% citywide and 26% in KIPP STAR’s home district.

   • By 8th grade, KIPP STAR students are more than twice as likely to be proficient in English and in Math as their peers in their local district.

   • KIPP STAR’s student daily attendance rate is 98%.

   • 80% of KIPP NYC alumni are matriculating to college.

3. What happens to KIPP NYC students when they go on to high school?
   

   KIPP STAR’s founding class completed 8th grade in the spring of 2007, and they are attending college-preparatory high schools in New York City and throughout the nation. Of the KIPP STAR alumni currently in high school, 47% attend public schools, 37% attend parochial schools, 9% attend A Better Chance community schools, 4% attend boarding schools, and 3% attend independent day schools.

   In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to provide an additional high-quality college-preparatory option to students who complete KIPP STAR and other KIPP NYC middle schools. Because we are committed to meeting each child’s academic and personal needs, we will continue to offer a high school placement program after the KIPP NYC High School opens, and we anticipate that a quarter of our alumni will continue to enroll in private, parochial, and specialized public high schools.

4. What is the school schedule?
   

   KIPP STAR students attend school from 7:25 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. They also attend Saturday school from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every other week as well as a three-week summer school session (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).

5. What is the school calendar?
   

   During the regular school year, KIPP STAR’s holidays and vacations generally coincide with the New York City Department of Education’s. A more detailed calendar is provided to all families in September. As noted above, summer school is mandatory for all KIPP STAR students.

6. Do the students wear uniforms to school? Do I have to pay for them?
   

   Yes. All students are required to wear uniforms, which consist of a KIPP STAR t-shirt and khaki pants or a khaki skirt. All students will be provided with one KIPP STAR shirt free of charge, and they will have the opportunity to purchase additional shirts over the summer and throughout the school year at a cost of $7 to $15 depending upon the style. Students provide their own pants and/or skirts.

7. Do you take ELL (English Language Learner) or special education students?
   

   Yes. KIPP STAR is open to and offers educational programming for all students, including English Language Learners and special education students. Please note that there are no self-contained bilingual education or special education classes.

8. When is the first day of Summer school?
   

   The first day of school for incoming 5th graders will be Monday, July 9, 2008. Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will start July 10. Summer school runs until July 25. There is no Saturday school during the summer.

9. Do you have free breakfast and lunch programs?
   

   Yes. Those students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch will receive breakfast and lunch (and an afternoon snack) as they did at their previous school.

10. Will KIPP STAR provide transportation for my child to get to and from the school?
    

    As with any public school, KIPP STAR will provide eligible students with a half-fare or full-fare MetroCard depending on how far they live from the school.

11. Where is the school?
    

    The school is located in Harlem at 433 West 123rd Street (between Amsterdam and Morningside Avenues). KIPP STAR is part of the Ralphe Bunche Building Complex, which also houses P.S. 125.

12. Whom can I contact with additional questions?
    

    Please contact Betty Padilla, Office Manager, at 212-991-2650, ext. 3000.

Lottery Process

1. How are students admitted to KIPP STAR?
   

   Students are admitted to KIPP STAR by lottery. The only information needed to enter the lottery is the student’s and parents’/guardian’s name, student’s birth date, and contact information. No test scores, demographic information, grades, recommendations, or behavioral history will be taken into consideration. In keeping with a new state law, KIPP STAR will give preference to applicants who reside within KIPP STAR’s community school district (District 5).

   The lottery is closed for the 2008-2009 school year. The application period for the 2009-10 school year will be held from January through March of 2009. More details will be available at a later date.

2. How does the lottery work? Do I need to attend the lottery? How will I find out whether my child was selected in the lottery?
   

   KIPP STAR plans to enroll 70-80 5th graders each year, including siblings and returning students who repeat 5th grade. If the number of students who apply to attend KIPP STAR exceeds this number, as it typically does, then KIPP STAR will conduct a lottery. All students entered into the lottery will have their names drawn from a box by an independent auditor. Open slots will be filled in the following order of priority:

   a. Returning students (guaranteed a slot)

   b. Siblings of students already enrolled in KIPP STAR (by birth or legal adoption)

   c. Applicants who reside within KIPP STAR’s community school district (District 5)

   d. All other applicants

   You do not have to be present at the lottery for your child to be eligible to attend KIPP STAR.

   Students will be contacted by phone to discuss the expectations of the school in the order their names were drawn until all open slots are filled.

3. Do you accept applications for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders?
   

   While there will be a lottery for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, we anticipate that there will be few, if any, open seats.

4. Can I enter the lottery more than once?
   

   No. Each child may enter only once. Any duplicate applications will be taken out prior to the lottery.

5. If I entered the lottery last year and my child was put on the waiting list, do I need to enter again?
   

   Yes. There is a new lottery every year. Waiting lists do not carry over from year to year.