KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools

What KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools does

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools (KMPS) is a nonprofit public charter school network operating in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network. Founded in 2002, KMPS currently operates three schools (elementary, middle, and high school) across two campuses in North Memphis, serving approximately 1,800 students. The organization delivers college-preparatory public education to families in underserved Memphis communities, with curricular differentiation including an AP for All program launched in 2017 and a STEM Center of Excellence with three labs launched in 2023.

KMPS is funded primarily through Tennessee per-pupil Basic Education Program allocations, federal Title program funding, and supplemental philanthropic grants and individual donations. Notable recent capital includes a $2 million Innovative Schools Models Grant from the Tennessee Department of Education in 2023. The network is governed by a local board under charter authorization from the Tennessee State Board of Education, with charter renewals historically granted for 10-year terms. KMPS holds TVAAS Level 5 recognition, the highest academic growth tier in Tennessee's accountability system.

The organization is led by CEO Dr. Antonio Burt (appointed 2021) and employs between 101 and 250 staff across instructional, operational, and administrative functions. KMPS is preparing for geographic expansion with the approved KIPP Cordova Collegiate Elementary, scheduled to open in the 2027-28 school year, representing its first move outside the North Memphis footprint. The network's affiliation with the broader KIPP national network of 278 schools provides access to shared curriculum, KIPP Forward alumni support services, and the KIPP Foundation's leadership development pipelines.

Name

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools

Legal name

KIPP Memphis Schools

Website

https://kippmemphis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools is a nonprofit public charter network operating three K-12 schools across two North Memphis campuses, serving approximately 1,800 students with college-preparatory programming including AP for All and a STEM Center of Excellence, funded through Tennessee per-pupil allocations and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public K–12 Combined Schools (EDAJAAAE)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 public education
• College preparatory programs
• Tuition-free schooling
• Primary secondary education

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: KIPP Memphis operates as a tuition-free public charter school, funded through state and federal education funding formulas. As a public school, revenue comes from per-pupil state funding, federal Title programs, and grants.
2. Donations and Philanthropic Support: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Corporate sponsors like West Fraser and Facility Resource Center provide financial support and in-kind contributions.
3. Kroger Community Rewards: Community partnership program where Kroger donates a portion of purchases from linked accounts to KIPP Memphis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools (KIPP Memphis Public Schools, KMPS) operates a network of three tuition-free public charter schools in Memphis, Tennessee, serving students in grades K-12 across elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12) levels. Founded in 2002, the organization delivers college-preparatory education as part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) Foundation network of public charter schools.

Product overview

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools operates a network of three public charter schools (Elementary K-5, Middle 6-8, High 9-12) across two North Memphis campuses, plus an approved fourth school in Cordova opening 2027-28. The schools form a unified K-12 pathway offering rigorous college-preparatory academics through WONDERS literacy, Eureka Math, STEM with three specialized labs (Engineering, Coding, Agricultural/Biotechnology), AP courses (AP for All), AVID curriculum, and Junior Achievement programs. The network extends beyond graduation through KIPP Forward support services. All students receive free meals through Community Eligibility Provision. Athletics and performing arts (at new Cordova campus) complement academic offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KIPP Forward: Post-secondary support program for KIPP Memphis alumni, providing guidance through college, career, and life after high school graduation.

Products and services

• KIPP Memphis Elementary School

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Class of 2025 graduates pursuing post-secondary education
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Peer PowerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2025CEO Cortney Richardson served as keynote speaker for Decision Day 2025, providing encouragement and real-life insight to graduates and families.
• How Cool Is This?! ProductionsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 May 2025National initiative creating educational moments connecting students with innovators. Brought NASA astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps to KIPP Memphis campuses for National Space Day.
• West FrasercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2025Global manufacturer of renewable wood building products with U.S. Operations Office in Memphis. Partnership includes monetary donation and resources to support KIPP Memphis schools. West Fraser contributes to college and career exploration trips, student uniforms, and after-school enrichment in music, robotics, tutoring, and arts. Travis Oldershaw (VP of U.S. Wood Procurement) leads partnership involvement.
• Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2023Partner in $2M Innovative Schools Models Grant. Provides STEM programming support and industry certifications for students.
• Greater Memphis IT CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2023Technology industry partner providing support for STEM Center of Excellence and coding certification programs.
• Memphis GrizzliesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBacked the 'So Fresh and So Clean' water filtration project with $1,500 grant. Team representatives including hype man and Grizz Girls participated in student lab activities.
• Hope Church MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird consecutive year partnership providing Thanksgiving meal kits to KIPP Memphis families. Partnership has grown from 75 families to serving hundreds of families across the network.
• Oasis of Hope MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird consecutive year partnership with Hope Church Memphis providing Thanksgiving meal kits. Doubling impact by serving hundreds of KIPP Memphis families.
• Junior AchievementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple JA programs tailored to K-12 grade bands including JA Neighbors, JA for a Day (Elementary), Capstone Experience and 8th Grade Heroes (Middle school), Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship (High School).
• Kroger Community RewardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity rewards program allowing shoppers to link accounts and donate a portion of purchases to KIPP Memphis. Organization number YY621.
• ShotRxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing on-site immunizations and sports physicals during Gear Up Day events at Henry Campus.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Green Dot Public Schools: Multi-state nonprofit charter management organization focused on college-preparatory public schools in underserved communities, operating a portfolio of schools anchored in Los Angeles — comparable as a charter network with similar college-prep mission and alumni support programs.
• YES Prep Public Schools: Houston-area nonprofit charter school system operating K-12 public schools with strong college-preparatory results and alumni support services — analogous to KIPP Memphis in mission, scale (similar network size), and community partnership approach.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Large nonprofit charter school network in New York City known for exceptional academic outcomes, high-stakes culture, and extended school day/year — strong operating-model parallel to KIPP Memphis's college-prep charter network with a results-focused reputation.
• BASIS Charter Schools: Network of college-preparatory charter and independent schools with nationally top-ranked STEM curricula — directly comparable to KIPP Memphis's STEM Center of Excellence positioning and AP emphasis at the high school level.
• Achievement First: Nonprofit charter school network operating K-12 college preparatory public charter schools across Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island with explicit focus on underserved communities and a unified K-12 pathway — same operating structure as KIPP Memphis.
• IDEA Public Schools: National nonprofit charter network operating college-preparatory K-12 public charter schools across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio with STEM and AP for All emphases — directly comparable multi-state network model with similar college-outcome focus.
• Uncommon Schools: Multi-state nonprofit charter management organization operating K-12 college preparatory public charter schools in the Northeast with networks of elementary, middle, and high schools serving predominantly underserved communities — directly comparable governance, mission, and operating model to KIPP Memphis.
• Rocketship Public Schools: Nonprofit charter elementary school network serving lower-income communities across multiple states with blended-learning models emphasizing STEM — analogous elementary-level charter network targeting similar student demographics.
• Noble Network of Charter Schools: Chicago-based nonprofit charter school network operating multiple campuses serving grades K-12 with extended-day college-prep model and high-performance outcomes — comparable as a regional charter management organization with multiple school tiers.

Regional players

• Gestalt Community Schools: Memphis-based nonprofit charter school network operating K-12 public charter schools in the same Memphis-Shelby County market, sharing the same authorizer and student demographic — direct local market peer for enrollment competition and regulatory accountability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/kippmemphis
• Facebookfacebook.com/KIPPMemphisPublicSchools
• Instagraminstagram.com/kippmemphis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kipp-memphis-collegiate-schools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Memphis Collegiate Schools