FAQ

1. What is KIPP AMP?
   

   KIPP AMP Academy is a free public school that opened in 2005 and currently serves 187 students in grades five through seven. Beginning in July of 2008, KIPP AMP will be at full capacity, serving approximately 250 students in grades five through eight. Students are admitted to KIPP AMP 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 AMP alumni in grades 9-12. We also plan to open an elementary school (Kindergarten through 4th grade) to feed into KIPP AMP.

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

   • On the 2007 New York State tests, 97% of KIPP AMP 6th graders (KIPP AMP’s oldest students at the time) scored at or above grade level in Math, as compared to 63% citywide and 46% in the district where KIPP AMP is located. In English/Language Arts, 78% of 6th graders scored at or above grade level, as compared to 50% citywide and 40% in KIPP AMP’s host district.

   • KIPP AMP’s student daily attendance rate is 97%.

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

3. How large are classes?
   

   While class size varies by subject, the average KIPP NYC class ranges from 27-35 students.

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

   KIPP NYC alumni attend college-preparatory schools in New York and throughout the country. Of the KIPP NYC alumni currently in high school, 44% attend parochial schools, 33% attend public schools, 10% attend A Better Chance Community Schools, 7% attend boarding schools, and 6% 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 AMP 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.

5. What is the school schedule?
   

   KIPP AMP 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).

6. What is the school calendar?
   

   During the regular school year, KIPP AMP’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 AMP students.

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

   KIPP AMP expects students to be neat and well-groomed at all times, thus conveying respect for themselves and for their time at school.

   From Monday through Thursday, all students are required to wear uniforms, which consist of a KIPP AMP t-shirt and jeans. All students will be provided with one KIPP AMP 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 jeans.

   On Fridays, students wear professional dress to prepare them for high school and their careers. Specific expectations regarding professional dress are provided to students and families at the beginning of each school year.

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

   Yes. KIPP AMP Charter School 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.

9. What are the dates of summer school?
   

   The first day of school for incoming 5th graders will be on Monday, August 11, 2008. Summer school hours will be from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. from August 11-22, 2008 for 5th graders and from August 18-22 for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. There is no Saturday school over the summer.

10. 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.

11. Will KIPP AMP provide transportation for my child to get to and from the school?
    

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

12. Where is the school?
    

    KIPP AMP is located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn at 1224 Park Place (at the corner of Sterling and Park Place). KIPP AMP is on the fourth floor of M.S. 390, the Maggie L. Walker Campus.

13. Whom can I contact with additional questions?
    

    For more information, please contact Kimberly Walker, Office Manager, at 718-943-3710, x4000.

Lottery Process

1. How are students admitted to KIPP AMP?
   

   Students are admitted to KIPP AMP by lottery. The only information needed to enter the lottery is the student’s and parents’/guardian’s name, the 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 AMP will give preference to applicants who reside within its community school district (District 17).

   The lottery is closed for the 2008-2009 school year. The application period for the 2009-10 school year will run from January through March of 2009. More details will be available in late 2008.

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 AMP 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 AMP exceeds this number, as it typically does, then KIPP AMP 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 AMP (by birth or legal adoption)

   c. Applicants who reside within KIPP AMP’s community school district (District 17)

   d. All other applicants

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

   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.