KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools

KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School

KIPP Memphis Collegiate High School (KMCHS) opened with a ninth grade class in Fall 2011 and shares facilities with KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School (KMCMS) at 230 Henry Avenue, Memphis, TN 38107. For information about enrollment, please visit the “Enroll at KIPP” tab or contact us at the information below.

Contact us

230 Henry Avenue
Memphis, TN 38107
phone: (901) 791-9792

Staff

Faculty

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School (KMCMS, formerly KIPP DIAMOND Academy) is KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools' flagship school. Opened in 2002, KMCMS serves 400 students grades 5-8 in North Downtown Memphis.

Contact Us

230 Henry Avenue
Memphis, TN 38107
phone: (901) 791-9390
fax: (901) 791- 9394

Staff

Faculty

Curriculum

KIPP offers a rigorous, college preparatory education. As such, homerooms are named after the teacher’s collegiate alma mater. Grade levels are also identified as the year in which its students will enroll in college (for example, our eighth graders this year are the Class of 2015 because they will enroll in college in 2015).

Because of the longer school day, week, and year, KIPP students benefit not only from extra time in core subjects of Math, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, with more instruction in courses such as Critical Thinking, Organizational Skills, and Life Skills. Executed daily, intervention offers specialized instruction and practice for students who are not reading on grade level, and facilitates literacy development for all students. Furthermore, Saturday school curricula provide an added enrichment component and seek to expose KIPPsters life skills and civic duties. Examples of past Saturday school electives include recycling, team building, book club, and a men’s life skills seminar.

KIPP schools are in session for 7:30a to 5:00p Monday through Thursday, 7:30a to 4:00p Friday, every other Saturday, and for three weeks in the summer.

Results

KMCS opened its first school, KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School (KMCMS, formerly KIPP DIAMOND Academy), in 2002. Though 93% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch, they are proving that demographics do not define destiny:

• KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School was ranked the third highest performing public middle school in the state of Tennessee for academic growth from 2008- 2010.

• National Norm-Referenced Assessment: Measure of Academic Progress (MAP): In just two years at KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle School, students made astronomical growth- from the 31st percentile to the 37th in Reading and from the 40th percentile to the 54th in Math.

• State Criterion- Referenced Exam: Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) In 2011, KMCMS outperformed the district in 75% of tested subjects.

We currently have KIPP alumni enrolled at: Memphis University School, Hutchinson School, Christian Brothers High School, St. Agnes Academy, Memphis Catholic High School, Bishop Byrne High School, Hollis F. Price Middle College High School as well as local district and charter schools.

Testimonials

   Vernesha Penix                                         Vernesha Penix
   KIPP Memphis 5th Grader, 2002                Spelman College Freshman, 2010

Varnesha’s journey at Spelman College continues the theme of a college-preparatory curriculum that began when she was just a fifth grader at KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle (formerly KIPP DIAMOND Academy). As a member of the inaugural class, Varnesha admits she found the KIPP pillar of “more time”—specifically, a class day that extends to 5 p.m. and an additional three weeks of school in the summer—to be rather daunting. But she also recognized the opportunity to be a part of something really special. “I had the choice to attend a really good school, one so different from the others in my district,” she explains. “My mother really encouraged me, and we both knew it was something I couldn’t pass up.” Vernesha was drawn to the atmosphere at KIPP—where “everyone was treated like part of a big family.”

Having extending her invaluable experience from KIPP to East High School’s Advanced Placement and medicine-oriented optional programs and now to college, Vernesha is well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor.

“The teachers pushed me to think about my education more; they wanted me to better. Since they believed in me, I believed in myself. With KIPP you are getting a great education and a pathway to college.”

“We learned something new everyday. Our teachers kept us interested and engaged; it didn’t make the day seem as long. The teachers come to school with a great attitude.”

“When I came to KIPP, my mindset changed because I realized that if you don’t have an education, you won’t succeed in society. The teachers take quality time to make a great lesson; they come to school with a great attitude.”

“My granddaughter’s whole attitude changed. You could see the improvement- conduct, grades. The teachers expected something out of her and encouraged her. All I look at now is the results- my granddaughter is the first of four generations to go to college. KIPP even changed my mindset about how important education is. When I walk through these doors, I learn something every day.”