KIPP Inspire Academy’s inaugural eight-grade class was greeted by a standing ovation as the students entered a packed auditorium at Washington University last Friday.
Jeremy Esposito, school leader at KIPP Inspire Academy, didn’t consider it a graduation, but instead a promotions ceremony. The class of 2017, consisting of 72 students, was promoted to 26 of the most prestigious public, private and parochial college preparatory high schools across the St. Louis region.
These schools include Metro Academic and Classical High School, Chaminade College Preparatory School, Rosati-Kain High School, Grand Center Arts Academy, MICDS and Gateway STEM High School.
The ceremony was an emotional moment for many students who fought back tears as they reflected on their time at KIPP. Percy Brown spoke candidly to the audience about his experiences.
“All I’ve heard people say about my life is, ‘Look, what’s he’s done! He’s just a mess up,’” Brown said. “But when I saw KIPP, they looked at me and said, ‘Look, what he can do. Look, what he’s capable of.’”
KIPP schools make rigorous demands on their students. He joked about reporting to school at the crack of dawn and returning at dinnertime and taking mandatory Saturday classes.
KIPP was a foundation, Brown said, a place where students could construct their own futures. He enrolled at KIPP as a 6th grader looking for a different educational opportunity and will attend Christian Brothers College High School in the fall.
Of the 72 students, 30 were founding students who began with KIPP as fifth-graders when the school was founded in 2009. According to Esposito, KIPP’s eight-grade class earned thousands of dollars in scholarship money and will enter high school reading (on average) at a 10th grade reading level.
“You’ve literally proven what the students of St. Louis city can accomplish when given a high-quality education,” he said.
KIPP Inspire Academy is part of a national network of not-for-profit, open-enrollment, college preparatory charter schools. It serves fifth through eight grade students who come from traditionally underserved communities – 89 percent are from low-income families and 98 percent are African-American.
“The accomplishments and achievements you’ve made, so far, in your education are an important step in the right direction for the rest of your lives,” Mayor Francis G. Slay, a vocal advocate for charter schools, told the students.
Slay said the future choices each student makes directly impacts not only themselves, but their communities, and their best choice is to continue their education.
The keynote address was given by Freddie Wills, assistant dean of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. Washington University is KIPP: St. Louis’ charter sponsor.
“There are not many things in life I would encourage you to become addicted to,” Wills said, “but, I urge you to become addicted to the graduations and promotions of life.”
One male and one female student – Aquonis Moody and Riva Carter – were recognized as “KIPPsters of the Year.” Both received plaques and $500 scholarships.
They were described by their teachers and peers as “inquisitive,” “mature,” “responsible,” and “focused.”
Moody will attend Christian Brothers College High School, and Riva will attend McKinley Classical Leadership Academy.
Molly Joyce, director of high school placement, and Andrea Turner, assistant school leader for seventh and eight grades, were also recognized for their dedication to the students.
“Think about this as a promotion where we celebrate together, but where we also commit to all the work that we still have to do moving forward so that these 72 kids become college graduates,” Esposito said.
