One of the nation’s most challenging high schools is located in a cluster of portables in East San Jose. KIPP San Jose Collegiate, where 70 percent of students come from low-income families, ranks with high schools in wealthy Silicon Valley communities on the Washington Post‘s Challenge Index, which looks at the number of college-level tests taken by students. The average KIPP Collegiate student takes 3.75 Advanced Placement tests, just below Lynbrook High and just above Saratoga High.
The charter high school also ranks 13th in California and 79st in the nation in U.S. News‘ 2015 list of high schools that prepare all students – including the disadvantaged – for college success.
Getting students from underserved communities to and through college is KIPP Collegiate’s mission, one which it shares with the national network of 162 KIPP charter schools (10 in the Bay Area).
High Expectations and a High Bar for All
An effective schools needs a “clear vision of the school culture and of where you want the students to be,” says Principal Tom Ryan. “Staff are completely bought in to our mission. Teachers are truly passionate about our kids.”
Compared to most schools – including Independence High just down the street – KIPP San Jose Collegiate is strict. Two-thirds of ninth graders come from high-scoring KIPP Heartwood, so they already understand KIPP’s high-expectations culture. For them, high school means more freedom. The other students come from various east side middle schools and go to three days of summer orientation to learn KIPP norms.
The accountability can be a shock, says Ryan. “Not only do I have homework, but it has to be done – or I’ll be staying after school to finish it.”
A uniform is required: black KIPP shirts with tan or black pants. In addition to the KIPP sweatshirt with its “Work hard. Be nice.” motto, students can wear a college (or blank) sweatshirt. The school day runs from 8 am to 4:15 pm with after-school tutorials for those who need more help.
Some ninth graders enter with just fourth- or fifth-grade math or reading skills. They take a “foundations” course in addition to college-prep algebra and English.
“That’s our biggest challenge, getting kids caught up,” says Ryan.
The school has the same expectations and sets a high bar for all students, providing support to those who are behind. All students must complete the A-G courses required to be eligible for University of California and California State University schools – as well as extra math, history and electives. Eleventh and 12th graders do community service.
Some students need five years to earn a diploma. But, once they do, they have choices.
In the last two years, 70 percent of graduates have gone to four-year colleges and universities, 29 percent to community colleges and two students have enlisted in the military. Among the college pennants in the school office – Yale, Barnard, UCLA, Carleton – is a U.S. Marine Corps banner.
Teachers are Learners Too
KIPP San Jose Collegiate teachers must be learners themselves. Ryan looks for people with a “growth mindset,” the belief that learning depends on effort, not innate ability. Work harder and you’ll learn more.
Job candidates teach a sample lesson and get feedback on how they did. Then they teach a second lesson. Ryan is looking to see how the prospective teacher has used the feedback to improve. Is this person able to learn quickly?
The strongest candidates tend to be Teach for America alumni who’ve taught for several years, often working at high-poverty schools. “They appreciate the support teachers get here,” says Ryan.
Teachers study the teaching techniques advocated by Doug Lemov, author of Teach Like a Champion. Effective teaching is a craft that can be learned, argues Lemov.
KIPP San Jose Collegiate has high expectations for teachers, but they’re not expected to go it alone. Teachers work as a team, he says. “Everyone is in the boat rowing in the same direction.”
Staff and teachers meet once a week for two hours. In addition, teachers in the same department share a prep period so they can meet weekly to discuss how best to teach their subject. “Students of concern” because of academic or behavioral problems are everyone’s concern.
Support through High School and Beyond
College counseling is a top priority since most graduates will be the first in their families to go to college. Three full-time counselors help students consider options, apply and maximize financial aid.
But it’s not enough to get graduates to college. The goal is a degree. “We’re working harder to help our students develop independence,” says Ryan.
Next year, a ninth-grade course will include social/emotional learning skills such as self-awareness, personal responsibility, empathy and Ryan’s favorite, time management. In addition, the school has been shifting from punitive to “restorative” discipline to limit suspensions and keep students in class, says Ryan. Teachers try to help students understand the impact of their behavior and decide to improve. Even serious offenses, such as selling drugs in school, no longer lead to expulsion. Instead, there’s a conference with the student and classmates, family members, teachers and staff. That’s cut expulsions to zero. Suspensions are fewer and briefer and detention is more common.
Support doesn’t end when students graduate high school. The KIPP network has created KIPP Through College, which provides one-on-one college and career advising not only for 11th and 12th graders, but for alumni attending college. The program also sets up partnerships with colleges – including San Jose State – so a cohort of KIPP alumni can support each other on the same campus.
This series of articles highlights Silicon Valley public schools that are beating the odds for low-income students– serving a majority of high-need students and achieving high levels of performance. While high-performing schools vary in their approach, there are some common components across many of these schools. These include being very thoughtful and purposeful about how time is spent throughout the day, fostering a culture of rigor, using student data strategically to inform instruction, being selective in hiring the right team, coaching and supporting teaching staff to constantly improve and engaging families.
KIPP Collegiate
Charter Public School
San Jose, CA
Opened in 2008
Total number of students: 475
2012-13
API: 875
11th Grade – % Proficient and Above
English Language Arts 76%
Math 70%
Graduation rate: 89%
Graduates eligible for a 4-year state university: 100%
(Have completed all A-G requirements)
Students
Latino 78%
Asian 15%
Other 7%
English Learner 12%
Low-income 70%
Students with Disabilities 7%