History

KIPP began in 1994 when two teachers, Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, launched a fifth-grade public school program in inner-city Houston, TX, after completing their commitment to Teach For America. In 1995, Feinberg remained in Houston to lead KIPP Academy Middle School, and Levin returned home to New York City to establish KIPP Academy in the South Bronx. These two original KIPP Academies became the starting place for a growing network of schools that are transforming the lives of students in under-resourced communities, and redefining the notion of what is possible in public education.

Since their founding, the two original KIPP Academies have sustained track records of high student achievement. While less than one in five low-income students attends college nationally, KIPP’s college matriculation rate stands at more than 80 percent for students who complete the eighth grade at KIPP. In 2007, nearly 95 percent of KIPP alumni went on to college-preparatory high schools; collectively, they have earned millions of dollars in scholarships and financial aid since 2000.

The history of KIPP: Charlotte began with Keith Burnam, school founder and leader and Tiffany Flowers, co-founder. In 2002, Burnam graduated Morehouse College with a degree in Psychology. Shortly after graduation Burnam was recruited for Teach for America and served two years as a corps member in Durham, North Carolina. It was during this time that Burnam discovered his love for teaching and educational reform.

In 2003, Burnam joined KIPP Gaston College Preparatory, a rural KIPP school with 90% African American and 70% low income student population. As a sixth grade math teacher at KIPP GCP, 100% of Burnam's sixth grade class passed the state test and earned the 8th highest scale score in North Carolina in 2004-2005. As Chair of the Math Department 99% of all students at KIPP GCP passed the Math End of Grade (EOG) test and Algebra I End of Course Test ( EOC) the following year. Burnam's record of success as a teacher and leader helped make KIPP GCP the highest performing public school in Northampton County and one of the top performing KIPP schools nationwide.

Tiffany Flowers graduated from Spelman College in 2004 with a degree in Psychology. Upon graduation, Flowers began teaching 6th and 7th grade science at KIPP Gaston College Preparatory. Flowers then moved to Houston, and taught 8th grade Social Studies and was the Social Studies Department Chair at KIPP 3D Academy. Similar to Burnam, Flowers saw tremendous success in the classroom.

Flowers and Burnam have been acquaintances since college. Over recent years they have forged a strong working relationship that has proven to be the recipe for success and culminated in the vision of KIPP: Charlotte. Together Burnam and Flowers lead a phenomenal team of dedicated and exceptional people who believe in social change and that children can and will learn. No excuses.