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25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago, in a church basement in SE DC, 91吃瓜网 founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, 91吃瓜网 has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students鈥攊n preschool through 12th grade鈥攁cross 22 schools. Together, we鈥檝e celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago, in a church basement in SE DC, 91吃瓜网 founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, 91吃瓜网 has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students鈥攊n preschool through 12th grade鈥攁cross 22 schools. Together, we鈥檝e celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago, in a church basement in SE DC, 91吃瓜网 founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, 91吃瓜网 has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students鈥攊n preschool through 12th grade鈥攁cross 22 schools. Together, we鈥檝e celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago, in a church basement in SE DC, 91吃瓜网 founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, 91吃瓜网 has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students鈥攊n preschool through 12th grade鈥攁cross 22 schools. Together, we鈥檝e celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Impact in DC

Together, A Future Without Limits

25 years ago, in a church basement in SE DC, 91吃瓜网 founder Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, KEY Academy. Since then, 91吃瓜网 has scaled from 80 students in that one middle school to nearly 7,500 students鈥攊n preschool through 12th grade鈥攁cross 22 schools. Together, we鈥檝e celebrated many milestones; new campuses, graduations, and a growing tight-knit community. We celebrate these 25 years and look forward to the next 25!

25 years of Education & Support

At 91吃瓜网 schools, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become Washington, DC鈥檚 next generation of leaders.

2001

91吃瓜网 KEY Academy opens at Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church in Anacostia with 80 fifth graders.

2003

  • KEY Academy earns the highest test scores of all charter middle schools in Washington D.C.

2005

91吃瓜网 AIM Academy opens its doors in SE DC, expanding access to high-quality education in Washington, DC.

91吃瓜网 establishes its first Headquarters office, providing a central hub to support staff, schools, and operations across the city.

KIPP Through College is founded to support 91吃瓜网 high school alumni on their journey to and through college.

2006

91吃瓜网 WILL Academy opens in Washington D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood.

2007

91吃瓜网 KEY Academy is the 1st 91吃瓜网 school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

2007

91吃瓜网 expands beyond middle school by opening its first preschool grades at 91吃瓜网 LEAP Academy, located on the Benning Road campus in Southeast DC.

2009

91吃瓜网 College Preparatory opens, marking an important milestone in providing a full PreK鈥�12 pathway for students.

The founding class of 91吃瓜网 KEY Academy celebrates their 8th grade graduation, becoming the first cohort to complete middle school at 91吃瓜网.

91吃瓜网 launches the Capital Teaching Residency, a teacher training program designed to develop the next generation of excellent educators.

91吃瓜网 continues to grow with the opening of 91吃瓜网 Discover Academy and 91吃瓜网 Promise Academy, both located in SE DC.

2010

91吃瓜网 expands its Shaw campus with the opening of a new preschool, 91吃瓜网 Grow Academy.

2011

91吃瓜网 expands its Douglass campus with the opening of a new elementary school, 91吃瓜网 Heights Academy.

2012

91吃瓜网 Douglass Campus welcomes First Lady Michelle Obama for an inspiring visit.

91吃瓜网 celebrates the opening of 91吃瓜网 Lead Academy during a special dedication ceremony at the Shaw Campus.

2013

91吃瓜网 Connect Academy and 91吃瓜网 Spring Academy open at the newly renovated 91吃瓜网 Webb Campus on Mount Olivet Road NE.

2014

91吃瓜网 Northeast Academy, 91吃瓜网 Art & Technology Academy, and 91吃瓜网 Quest Academy open in NE DC.

2015

Jessica Cunningham, Principal of 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory, is honored with the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 prize.

2015

Celebrating excellence in teaching, Jennifer Ramacciotti receives the prestigious OSSE Teacher of the Year award.

2015

91吃瓜网 expands with the opening of a new campus for 91吃瓜网 College Preparatory.

91吃瓜网 also launches The Learning Center, dedicated to supporting diverse learners.

91吃瓜网 continues to grow with the opening of 91吃瓜网 Valor Academy, a middle school at 91吃瓜网’s Smilow Campus.

2018

91吃瓜网 Promise Academy is named a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap. It becomes 91吃瓜网’s second school to be given this recognition.

2019

91吃瓜网 Heights Academy Academy is recognized as the 3rd 91吃瓜网 school to be named a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

2019

91吃瓜网 acquires Somerset College Preparatory, a 6-12th grade public charter, that later becomes 91吃瓜网’s Wheeler Campus and 91吃瓜网 Legacy College Preparatory.

91吃瓜网 Honor Academy opens in SE DC.

2020

91吃瓜网 shifts operations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and virtually educates all students and offers in-person programming.

91吃瓜网 Pride Academy and 91吃瓜网 Inspire Academy open at 91吃瓜网’s Wheeler Campus.

2020

91吃瓜网 Lead Academy is the 4th 91吃瓜网 school recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School based on their overall academic excellence and progress in closing the opportunity gap.

2022

91吃瓜网 opens Legacy College Preparatory in Ward 8, the second high school campus.

2022

Shannon Hodge is hired as 91吃瓜网鈥檚 President. Shannon鈥檚 deep experience as an educator, attorney, advocate, and school leader made her a fantastic fit to lead the organization.

2025

91吃瓜网 supports 7,500+ students across 22 schools and 2,500+ alumni.

91吃瓜网 by the Numbers

91吃瓜网 has made a huge impact in the lives of our students and teachers over the years. Take a look at some of our impact data!

2,000

Students enrolled in college

550+

College graduates

$50M+

In scholarship dollars earned by KIPP grads in the last five years

3x

Higher college graduation rate than similar DC schools

1,000

Teachers trained by Capital Teaching Residency (CTR)

Nina Meyers

"The teachers there really made sure I had the best academic experience I could have and the support from those people really helped change the trajectory of my life."

Nina Meyers , 91吃瓜网 Alumni

Zyhan Wagne

"My teachers make me feel like I belong. They are the embodiment of team and family at 91吃瓜网鈥ot just academically but personally, as well"

Zyhan Wagner , 91吃瓜网 Alumni

LeQuan Graham

"What brings me joy is when students come back to visit, even years later. That鈥檚 legacy right there."

LeQuan Graham , 91吃瓜网 Teacher

Nihesha Browning

"The support, camaraderie, and the sense that everyone is here for the long term - that鈥檚 what makes 91吃瓜网 unique."

Nihesha Browning , 91吃瓜网 Teacher

Nikesha Winston

"My favorite thing about [91吃瓜网] is all of the opportunities my daughter has had - dual enrollment, access to AP classes, amazing college tours - it鈥檚 really been a good experience for us!"

Nikesha Winston , 91吃瓜网 Family

Curtis Turner

"What we like most about 91吃瓜网 is the interaction. They interact with parents. They interact well with the students. They really push our students to be the best they can be. Thank you, KIPP!"

Curtis Turner , 91吃瓜网 Family

Calendar of Events

Take a look at our events!

91吃瓜网 Looking Back, Looking Forward Art Contest

Tues, Feb 3rd - Fri, Mar 20

Submit entry at kippdc.org/artcontest

Submissions for the 91吃瓜网 25th Anniversary Art Contest are OPEN! We invite all 91吃瓜网 Students K鈥�12 to share your 鈥淟ooking Back, Looking Forward鈥� themed artwork for a chance to win $300, see your art come to life, and be featured at our art exhibit in April.

Find additional information and submission details

91吃瓜网 All-Staff Homecoming

Thursday, October 9

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Invitation Only

91吃瓜网 All-Staff Homecoming will provide a chance for all staff to gather to celebrate 25 years of 91吃瓜网, honor the foundation built, and connect with one another outside of the day-to-day. The evening will feature a welcome reception, words of gratitude from 91吃瓜网 leadership, alumni, and city partners, along with interactive stations that highlight our past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future. For more information contact events@kippdc.org.

Watch the event recap !