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FOR YOUR

formation

2018 | KIPP ST. LOUIS NEWSLETTER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE KIPP ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL IS HERE!

KIPP Updates Last August, KIPP St. Louis made a giant leap to ensure continuity and consistency
Proving the Possible in high-quality education by opening KIPP St. Louis High School. Now, KIPPsters can
begin in Kindergarten and stay with KIPP through high school graduation.
Spotlight Nationally, the KIPP Foundation has seen a dramatic improvement in high school
Champions for graduation, college access and college completion in regions that have opened
Education Breakfast KIPP high schools. “In order to truly provide an education that will allow students
Curiosity Cube to lead choice-filled lives, we knew a high school was the next step. It provides a
direct pathway for our KIPPsters coming from our KIPP St. Louis Academies, as well
Elementary Schools as those new to KIPP St. Louis, to climb the mountain to and through college,” said
Victory Promotion KIPP St. Louis Executive Director, Kelly Garrett.
Wisdom STEP Team The high school opened with 100 freshman in the founding class and has had many
highlights in its first year. Students have made significant academic gains while
Middle Schools engaging in challenging courses, such as Advanced Placement Human Geography
BluePals Program and African-American Literature. In addition, our 9th grade scholars have taken
Science at Wash U two ACT practice tests to track their progress. The school also boasts a concert
and marching band, competitive sports programs and extra curriculars including
Student Council, Literary Magazine, Photography Club and a Community Service
organization.

High School
Givable Program
KIPP Band

Alumni Ninth graders enjoy time together during lunch Amiria smiles during band practice - all
Goldberg Scholar freshman play an instrument in the band
KIPP Policy Fellowship
NPower Program

KIPP Hooray!
Class of 2018

Work hard. Be nice. With an emphasis on STEM education, KHS has two science labs
and with generous support from Monsanto plans to build more

updates

2017-2018 KIPP ST. LOUIS IS PROVING THE POSSIBLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For nearly 10 years, KIPP St. Louis has been on a mission to prepare
Kyle Chapman,Chair children from educationally underserved communities for success in
college and in life.
Co-Founder & Managing Director In 2009, we opened our doors to a class of seventy-two 5th graders.
BW Forsyth Partners Today, we educate 2,000 students. Unfortunately, we know that for
every seat we provide, there are still thousands of students in the City of
Kerry Casey St. Louis that do not have access to a quality education. This is why
Vice President, Exegy we are on a path to grow to six schools: three elementary schools, two
middle schools and a high school. This growth is possible because of
Don Danforth generous donors who believe all children deserve an exceptional K-12
President & Founder, City Academy education.
The Proving the Possible: Phase II Campaign includes the addition of
June McAllister Fowler, Secretary KIPP St. Louis High School, the relocation of KIPP Triumph Academy
to its new facility, and supports start up costs of the high school as its
Senior Vice President, Communications program expands. Upon completion of this campaign, we will educate
BJC Healthcare 3,300 students. Thanks to generous early commitments, as of May 31,
2018, we have received over $11 million of our $15 million goal.
Gabe Gore,Past Chair These donations allow KIPP St. Louis to expand the number of
students we serve and create a singular education system for our
Partner, Dowd Bennett LLP scholars from Kindergarten through high school graduation.
We would like to thank the following supporters for their
David Lemkemeier commitments to our campaign:
Member, Lewis Rice LLC
$1,000,000 - $2,000,000 $25,000 - $99,000
Emily Pitts Anonymous Carrie & Kyle Chapman
Principal, Inclusion & Diversity Marjorie Abernathy* Ann & Doug Grissom
Edward Jones Emerson Charitable Trust Ashley & John Kemper
William T. Kemper Foundation Peggy & Pat Sly
Eric Scroggins $500,000 - $999,999 $1 - $24,999
Founder, Opportunity STL Anonymous Kerry & Micheal Casey
Monsanto Susannah & Don Danforth
Pat Sly,Treasurer Lisa & Greg Wendt June & Flint Fowler
Jean & Lew Wolff Elizabeth & Kelly Garrett
Retired Executive Vice President, Emerson $100,000 - $499,999 Nicole & Gabe Gore
Anonymous Nicole & David Lemkemeier
Rick Stevens Centene Charitable Foundation Eric Scroggins & Ryan Rawlings
President, Christian Hospital Regional Business Council Malette & Rick Stevens
BJC Healthcare Renee & Rob Wasserman
Kristy & Tim Wei
Rob Wasserman Keith Williamson
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp
Community Development Corporation * Denotes gift given posthumously
Campaign commitments include multi-year gifts.
Kristy Wei
Vice President - Integration Management, To learn more, contact Ericka Zoll | [email protected] | 314.629.6199
Express Scripts

Keith Williamson,Vice Chair

Executive Vice President
Corporate Secretary & General Counsel
Centene Corporation

spotlight

KIPP HONORS CHAMPIONS FOR EDUCATION Honorees Kathy Osborn and Tom Irwin (center)
receive their awards from Greg Wendt (left) and KIPP
On May 3rd, community leaders, dignitaries, KIPP supporters and
families gathered for the 5th Annual KIPP St. Louis Champions for high school students, Jaden and Kenya
Education Breakfast. This year we honored Gabe Gore, Partner at
Dowd Bennett and a founding KIPP St. Louis Board Member, Tom Irwin,
Executive Director of Civic Progress, and Kathy Osborn, President and
CEO of the Regional Business Council, for their incredible advocacy and
support for education and students in St. Louis.
The event featured KIPP student and alumni speakers, as well as
performances from our KIPP Wisdom Academy Kinetic Energy STEP
team and the KIPP Inspire Academy Honors Choir. Our honorees were
presented with KIPP awards and city proclamations.
Thanks to all that joined us for the wonderful celebration and thank you
to our generous event sponsors: Dowd Bennett LLP, BJC Healthcare,
Ernst & Young, Clark-Fox Family Foundation, Kerber, Eck & Braeckel,
Regional Business Council, Rome West Realty and Spire.

5TH ANNUAL KIPP ST. LOUIS

FOR EDUCATION BREAKFAST

CURIOSITY CUBE VISITS KIPP MIDDLE SCHOOLS Gabe Gore (left), receives his award alongside KIPP
students and KIPP board member, Keith Williamson
“Tomorrow’s scientific discoveries begin with the curiosity of the
next generation of scientists.” MiliporeSigma, a global life sciences A KIPP Triumph Scholar studies cell pathways using
company, visited both KIPP St. Louis middle schools this spring to help a microbot during a visit to the Curiosity Cube
spark curiosity in our 5th graders.
KIPP students spent the day alongside MilliporeSigma scientists in
the Curiosity Cube, a retrofitted shipping container that has been
transformed into a mobile science lab. Students enjoyed learning about
cells through robotics, technology and virtual reality. With the help of
employees, KIPPsters explored cell pathways using a microbot, traveled
inside a human cell through virtual reality, and viewed various human
cells under high powered microscopes.
MilliporeSigma has been a great partner of KIPP St. Louis, not only
as an investor in our science programs, but also helping KIPP achieve
the goal of introducing students to careers in science, technology,
engineering and math.

elementary

Fourth grade scholars proudly show KIPP VICTORY ACADEMY GRADUATES
off their Class of 2026 t-shirts ITS FIRST 4TH GRADE CLASS

In 2014, KIPP Victory Academy elementary school opened to 200
kindergarten and 1st graders, establishing the first KIPP elementary
school in St. Louis. The first cohort of students graduated fourth
grade from KIPP Victory Academy this past May. This celebration
is historic for KIPP Victory students and their families and for KIPP
St. Louis, as these100 graduates will be the first elementary
students to matriculate from a KIPP St. Louis elementary school
to a KIPP St. Louis middle school.
“This is a game changer for our scholars. Our 4th graders are
already reading books that our 5th and 6th graders used to read.
Students will be attending either KIPP Triumph Academy or KIPP
Inspire Academy next year. We aren’t having to play academic
catch up like we used to because so many of our students will
already enter middle school on grade level,” said Jeremy Esposito,
Chief Academic Officer for KIPP St. Louis.
Scholars have spent part of the school year preparing for the
transition to middle school by taking field trips to the respective
schools, engaging in a pen pal program with middle school
students, and meeting middle school staff members at Open
House nights. The KIPP middle schools are excited to welcome
KIPP Victory Academy alumni this fall.

KWA KENETIC ENERGY STEP TEAM

Third graders at KIPP Wisdom Academy have been learning about
kinetic energy in science class and they are bringing that energy to
life with the launch of the KWA Kinetic Energy STEP team.
The club is open to 3rd graders, made up of sixteen scholars and led
by special education teacher, Kierra Wicks. The goal is to promote
academic achievement, team and family, and personal excellence
by collaborating, encouraging, and fostering creative expression
among the KWA school community. The dance team focuses on
practicing elaborate synchronized group routines that combine
dance, call and response, and a lot of KIPP Wisdom pride. The
STEP team has performed at several school sponsored events, as
well as at the Champions for Education Breakfast.

STEP team members get ready for their
first performance at the Fall Festival

middle

BLUEPALS: PEN PAL WRITING PROGRAM

Since February, 5th graders at KIPP Inspire and luePal
KIPP Triumph Academies have been writing
letters to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police
Department through a pen pal program called
BluePals.

B s

The “Blue” refers to St. Louis Police officers and KIPP Inspire scholars meet their BluePals
the idea of the program came to us from Judy
Capes, a KIPP supporter, who wanted to find a Bernard, 5th grader at KIPP Triumph Academy,
way to bridge the space between middle school enjoys meeting his BluePal
children and police officers in an effort to foster
understanding and change in the community. Tracey, 8th grader at KIPP Inspire,
The program started last year at KIPP Inspire Academy conducts an experiment at Wash U
and expanded to KIPP Triumph Academy this past year.

Students and officers exchanged letters over a ten-week period and
then met each other at receptions held at each school. Some students
were initially reluctant about corresponding with an officer, but
over time were excited to learn that they shared interests with their
BluePal. Bernard Q., a scholar from KIPP Triumph, was excited to learn
that he had common interests with his BluePal, Lt. Parker-Stayton.
Bernard said, “we both went to LEGO Land. And her favorite Greek
God is Zeus. And my favorite Greek God is Poseidon.”

The afternoon reception included ice cream, a presentation, and the
opportunity to spend quality time with their BluePal. Although it
marked the end of the BluePal program, Lt. Parker-Stayton said the
friendships will continue. “Hopefully we’ll build a long relationship
with the kids, where they can contact us at any time. And let them
know we’re not the bad guys. We’re the good guys. If they need us for
anything, we’re here,” she said.

SCIENCE AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

Eighth grade scholars from KIPP Inspire Academy were able to join
Dr. Marcus Foston, a professor in the Department of Energy,
Environmental & Chemical Engineering at Washington University in
St. Louis and several PhD Candidates for a day of STEM learning and
instruction.
At Wash U, students worked in the School of Engineering & Applied
Science, where they were able to conduct a lab experiment creating
polymers. Scholars enjoyed learning about graduate level research,
working in the high tech science labs, and hearing about career
pathways in the STEM fields. After the labs, students toured multiple
lab facilities and completed a campus tour of Wash U.

high school

9th graders in Ms. Alejandro’s class particpated in GIVABLE: LEARNING ABOUT HELPING OTHERS
Givable and many other community service projects
KIPP St. Louis High School students are participating in a new
fundraising platform called Givable. Participants make daily
contributions to local charities with the tagline, “give where you
live.” Ninth grade scholars spend time each morning deciding
where their contributions will go and weighing the options of which
charity they should support.
The focus of the program is to start young and teach students the
benefits of philanthropy and giving back to the community. The
program was brought to us through support from The Staenberg
Family Foundation, the Regional Business Council, Cultivation
Capital, and Brad and Anne Bishop.
Our participation was recently featured on KSDK News Channel 5.

KIPP ST. LOUIS HIGH SCHOOL
MARCHING WOLVES BAND

In addition to core classes, all ninth graders at KIPP St. Louis High
School had the opportunity to participate in our band program
this year. For many scholars, this is the first time they have played
an instrument and their music knowledge and skills have grown
tremendously in a short time under the talented direction of founding
band teacher, Skylar Shrive.
Students tested out various instruments, received daily music
instruction, and performed in two school concerts, as well as
proudly marched in the Annie Malone May Day parade.
As the high school grows, we will offer a wide range of electives
and extracurricular activities to give KIPPsters a well-rounded and
engaging high school experience. Thank you to the many donors
that provided funding and donated instruments to our growing music
program.

DeAndre holds his trumpet while waiting to
perform at the first band concert

alumni

GOLDBERG SCHOLAR: DELTON UTSEY KIPP Alumnus and 2018 graduate,
Delton Utsey with Maxine Clark
Delton Utsey is an alumnus of KIPP St. Louis and a 2018 graduate of
Saint Louis University High School. Delton is a 2018 recipient of the De'Ja Wood, Class of 2017, KIPP Policy Fellow
Dave Goldberg Scholarship. This scholarship, made possible by the
Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, was awarded
to just 30 KIPP students from across the country.
The scholarship is contributing to a much larger conversation about
how to make opportunity truly equal for college graduates in America.
In addition to approximately $15,000-a-year in financial support,
each scholar will be paired with a mentor and will be plugged into
a network of “connectors” who will help them find internships and
jobs, closing the opportunity gap that often exists for first-generation
college goers and students of color in the job market. Delton aspires
to make a lifelong impact on the City of St Louis through policy and
entrepreneurship. He is passionate about bringing together people of
different socioeconomic and racial backgrounds, and has led multiple
student organizations that aim to create dialogue on issues of race
and social justice. Delton is headed to Washington University in St.
Louis on a full scholarship this fall.

KIPP POLICY FELLOWSHIP: DE’JA WOOD

De’Ja Wood, KIPP Inspire Academy Class of 2017, finished her
freshman year at Duke University as a cheerleader, a member on the
Executive Board for the NAACP, and a member of the Black Student
Alliance, all while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. De’Ja is also the youngest
of eight KIPPsters who will be interning for eight weeks this summer
on Capitol Hill as part of the KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship Program.
The goal of the program is to encourage working with Congressional
members on both sides of the aisle and gain invaluable experience.
At Duke, De’Ja is studying Public Policy, with a concentration in Human
Rights. She eventually hopes to go law school.

NPOWER

In today’s economy, 50% of all jobs require some degree of technology
and digital skill, and this is expected to grow to 77% by 2020 in the
U.S. At KIPP St. Louis, we are partnering with NPower to ensure our
alum are on the cutting edge of the tech job market. NPower is a
nonprofit that creates pathways to economic prosperity by launching
digital careers for military veterans and young adults from underserved
communities. This summer, Isaiah Bierman, KIPP alumnus and
graduate of the Class of 2018, will participate in the 20-week NPower
program that culminates in a paid tech-related internship opportunity.
NPower currently operates in New York City, Texas, California,
Baltimore, Toronto, New Jersey, and St. Louis. KIPP St. Louis is excited
to build on our relationship with NPower in the future.

hooray!

Let’s stay CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2018

CONNECTED! The Class of 2018, KIPP St. Louis' second class of students that graduated from
KIPP Inspire Academy middle school, celebrated its high school graduation at
Visit fifteen local high schools. Students from the Class of 2018 will be attending
Donate schools across the country such as; Washington University in St. Louis,
DePauw University, Webster University, Maryville University, Stephens
College, University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as enlist in the Air Force and
participate in NPower. We will celebrate the class of 2018 at the KIPP St. Louis
Pennant Ceremony on June 23rd at the 560 Music Building in the Loop.

Volunteer

Spread the word Corey graduated from CBC Kyla graduated from Gateway STEM

Tweet us De’Ja and Kayla graduated from Villa Duschene Ashten graduated from Carnahan
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KIPP High School KIPP Inspire Academy KIPP Triumph Academy KIPP Victory Academy KIPP Wisdom Academy
706 N. Jefferson 1212 N. 22nd St. 1409 E. Linton Ave. 955 Arcade Ave. 2647 Ohio Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103 St. Louis, MO 63107
St. Louis, MO 63106 314.454.9167 St. Louis, MO 63112 St. Louis, MO 63118
314.241.1030 314.296.3502 Grades 5-8 314.454.9255 314.384.9561
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