Kipp DC Public Schools

What Kipp DC Public Schools does

KIPP DC Public Schools is a non-profit public charter school network operating 20+ schools across 8 campuses in Washington, D.C., serving approximately 7,300 students in PreK3 through 12th grade in Wards 2, 5, 7, and 8. Founded in 2001 by Susan Schaeffler with a single middle school (KEY Academy) enrolling 80 fifth graders, the network has scaled to include early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school campuses, supported by two high schools (KIPP DC College Preparatory and Legacy College Preparatory) and a specialized Learning Center for students requiring additional instructional services. The network is affiliated with the national KIPP Foundation while operating under a charter from the DC Public Charter School Board.

The organization's core programs include KIPP Forward (a six-year post-graduation college and career support program that has guided 2,000+ alumni), the Capital Teaching Residency (a three-year teacher training program that has developed 660 educators), and The Learning Center (specialized instruction for approximately 80 students with intensive needs). Technology integrations include a Personalized Learning Pilot Project and the Innovate Virtual Learning Program for grades 5-12, alongside digital assessment tools. KIPP DC holds a BBB+ credit rating from independent rating agencies and operates 725,000 square feet of learning space.

KIPP DC's revenue model is anchored to the District of Columbia's Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (approximately $15,455 per student in FY27), augmented by an estimated $5.6 million in private philanthropy annually and additional foundation/corporate grants (e.g., T-Mobile's Project 10Million Chromebooks, UNCF/Kevin Hart scholarship support, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Good Neighbor Grant). As a free, open-enrollment public charter system, the network recruits families through the centralized MySchoolDC lottery, community events, and digital channels, while also operating a Talent pipeline through teacher recruitment, the Capital Teaching Residency, and a domestic volunteer and Alumni Ambassador Board program. The organization is led by CEO Shannon Hodge (effective February 2025, succeeding founder Susan Schaeffler), with Susan Toth as Superintendent (effective October 2024), Saumil Shah as President and COO, Justin Ellis as CFO, and a broader executive team overseeing academics, talent, equity and inclusion, and external affairs.

Name

Kipp DC Public Schools

Legal name

KIPP DC Public Schools

Website

https://kippdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

KIPP DC Public Schools is a non-profit public charter school network operating 20+ schools across 8 campuses in Washington, D.C., serving approximately 7,300 students in PreK3 through 12th grade in Wards 2, 5, 7, and 8. Founded in 2001, it is affiliated with the national KIPP Foundation and funded by DC per-pupil allocations plus private philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Public Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF), Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)

Keywords

• Public charter schools
• K-12 education
• College preparatory education
• Early childhood education
• Teacher training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Funding: Public charter schools receive per-pupil funding from the District of Columbia based on the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula ($15,455 per student as of FY27). This is the primary revenue source.
2. Private Philanthropy/Donations: KIPP DC raises private funds from donors to support programs like KIPP Forward, Capital Teaching Residency, scholarships, and The Learning Center. The organization raised $5.6 million in private philanthropy annually.
3. Grants: KIPP DC receives grants from foundations and corporate partners for specific programs and initiatives (e.g., T-Mobile's Project 10Million for technology, foundation grants for scholarships).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KIPP DC Public Schools operates a network of 20+ free public charter schools serving approximately 7,300 students from PreK3 through 12th grade across 8 campuses in Washington, DC. The network delivers college-preparatory education with extended learning time, supplemented by the Capital Teaching Residency teacher training program, KIPP Forward alumni support for up to six years post-graduation, and The Learning Center for students requiring specialized instruction.

Product overview

KIPP DC Public Schools operates as a network of 20 public charter schools serving approximately 7,300 students in PreK3 through 12th grade across 8 campuses in Washington DC. The network includes early childhood schools (PreK3-PreK4), elementary schools (K-4), middle schools (5-8), and high schools (9-12). Key supporting programs include KIPP Forward, which provides alumni with up to six years of post-high school college and career support, and the Capital Teaching Residency, a nationally recognized educator training program. The Learning Center offers specialized instruction for students requiring additional support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KIPP DC Public Schools Network A network of 20+ public charter schools in Washington DC serving approximately 7,300 students in PreK3 through 12th grade across 8 campuses, providing free college-preparatory education with extended learning time and comprehensive student support services.
• KIPP Forward Program Alumni support program that provides college and career guidance, scholarships, and support services to KIPP DC graduates for up to six years after high school graduation. Supports 2,000+ alumni in college or self-sustaining careers.
• Capital Teaching Residency A nationally recognized teacher training and development program that builds a pipeline of diverse talent for public schools in Washington DC, providing recruitment, selection, training, and professional development for educators. Has trained 660 Capital Teacher Residents.
• The Learning Center A specialized program serving approximately 80 students who require specialized instruction and related services, located at the Douglass Campus in Ward 8, serving grades PreK4-8.
• Innovate Virtual Learning Program An online virtual learning program for students in grades 5-12, providing remote education options as an alternative to in-person campus attendance.
• KIPP DC High Schools High schools serving grades 9-12 including KIPP DC College Preparatory (opened 2009) and Legacy College Preparatory (opened 2022), providing college-preparatory education with comprehensive support services including NAF Academy of Finance and KIPP Forward alumni support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni graduate college at 4x the DC average
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OneSightminorOthersOneSight vision clinic provided free vision services for KIPP DC students at the Douglass Campus, including eye exams and glasses for students in need.
• Redskins Charitable FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to help eliminate barriers for students, including laundry facilities to support families.
• Target and KaBOOM!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded Imagination Playground system to KIPP DC Connect Academy through $15,930 grant.
• PNC Grow Up GreatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly childhood education initiative at KIPP DC Connect Academy supporting young learners.
• National Academy Foundation (NAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to operate NAF Academy of Finance at KIPP DC College Preparatory, preparing students for careers in finance with industry connections and internships.
• City YearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity Year volunteers participated in MLK Day of Service at KIPP DC Shaw Campus, with nearly 400 volunteers helping beautify the campus.
• Youth Orchestra of America (YOA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIPP DC students performed with the Youth Orchestra of America in partnership program.
• Girls Who CodeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive young women from KIPP DC College Preparatory selected to participate in Girls Who Code summer immersion program.
• DC Public Charter School BoardcoreOthersKIPP DC operates as a public charter school under authorization and oversight of the DC Public Charter School Board, which evaluates performance and finances annually.
• KIPP FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKIPP DC is part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Public Schools network, sharing resources, best practices, and brand affiliation. The Foundation provides support, training, and network coordination.
• DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)coreOthersKIPP DC works with OSSE for academic assessments (PARCC), compliance, and state-level educational coordination.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Friendship Public Charter Schools: Direct peer and one of the largest charter networks operating in Washington DC, serving K-12 students across multiple campuses. Comparable in operating model (public charter, multi-site, DC-only footprint), student demographics served, and oversight by the DC Public Charter School Board.
• DC Prep: DC-based charter school network operating multiple PreK-8 campuses with a college-preparatory mission similar to KIPP DC's. Highly comparable in geography, target population (underserved DC families), and charter accountability framework.
• Capital City Public Charter School: Washington DC charter school serving PreK-12 students with a similar college-preparatory focus and progressive pedagogy. Comparable in scale, mission, and DC Public Charter School Board oversight.
• Achievement First: Multi-state charter management organization operating K-12 schools in CT, NY, and RI. Comparable in mission, college-preparatory model, alumni support programming, and teacher residency investment.
• KIPP Foundation (other KIPP regions): National parent network of KIPP Public Schools; sister KIPP regional organizations (e.g., KIPP NYC, KIPP Bay Area, KIPP LA) operate the same playbook, brand, and educational philosophy. The most natural peer for benchmarking operating model and growth mechanics.
• IDEA Public Schools: Large multi-state charter network operating K-12 schools in Texas and other Sunbelt states. Comparable in scale (large multi-site network), college-prep focus, and college persistence outcomes, though operates in different geographies.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Large NYC-based charter network serving K-12 students with a similar focus on college preparation, extended instructional time, and high academic outcomes for underserved populations. Comparable on scale, rigor, and network-level differentiation.
• Aspire Public Schools: California-based charter management organization serving K-12 students with a college-preparatory mission. Comparable in network structure, focus on underserved families, and alumni college persistence support.
• Uncommon Schools: Multi-state charter management organization operating college-prep schools in NJ, NY, and MA. Closely comparable to KIPP DC in mission, instructional model, extended-day structure, and network-level alumni support programs.

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: Large for-profit charter management organization operating K-8 schools across multiple states. Comparable in operating scale and multi-site management model, though differs in for-profit status and grade band.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kippdcschools
• Xx.com/KIPP_DC
• Facebookfacebook.com/KIPPDC

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kipp DC Public Schools