Twenty years ago, a small group of determined 5th grade families and educators opened a new school in West Oakland. Their vision was to create a school that would challenge and nurture every student, regardless of their background, to reach their full potential. Together, they launched KIPP’s first school in California and laid the foundation for two decades of progress, joy, and transformational public education for 11,000 Northern California students to come.

KIPP has been built by moments like these. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we look back at these moments and the growth they’ve helped inspire in our 2022 Impact Report. 

Our work is more critical than ever as we address the lasting effects of the pandemic which are disproportionately impacting our communities, and we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our families and supporters as we work together to support our students as they pursue their greatest aspirations and create a future without limits. 

To honor our first two decades, we have partnered with StoryCorps to capture and share stories from our KIPP community with the world. Listen to our students, alumni, parents, and teachers tell their own stories about where we’ve been, who we are today, and what is still to come.