What We Believe

At KIPP Philadelphia Schools we know actions speak louder than words, and the actual results accomplished by our children and teachers prove what is possible for children in Philadelphia. We strive to ensure our actions are always informed by a consistent set of Regional Beliefs that are shared by every member of our Team and Family. While we may sometimes fall short of meeting the lofty ambitions implicit in these Beliefs, we are willing to admit to ourselves when we are falling short, and we work to find a solution. It is our hope that broadcasting these Beliefs for the world to see will help everyone who reads them understand what is important to us, and what we believe about teaching, learning, our children, and our place in our community.

1. The extraordinary efforts we make at KIPP Philadelphia are a necessary response to the achievement gap. KIPP Philadelphia is a solution, not the solution, to this problem.

2. All children will learn if they are taught in a high-quality way and in a safe and orderly environment.

3. By spending more time on task, we are able to focus on all the results that we believe are important, qualitative and quantitative.

4. Character is as important as academic skills for success in both school and life.

5. In their experiences at KIPP Philadelphia, our students, families, and staff should feel valued and respected.

6. Our students should have a positive influence on their families & communities.

7. We must recruit, develop, retain, and reward a diverse team of outstanding people.

8. We have high expectations for our students, and what we expect of our students we must ourselves embody and be committed to developing.

9. In order to accomplish our mission we must build positive, trust-based relationships with our students, families, communities and each other.

10. We do what we say, in alignment with our beliefs, values, mission, vision and KIPP’s Five Pillars.