KIPP DC - LEAD Academy PCS

421 P Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20001

School District

KIPP DC
Grade

1-4
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on March 31, 2017

I am sorry to hear that the last parent may have had a negative experience at Lead. My children have been at the Shaw Campus since Pre-K, and now they are in the 3rd grade. They are thriving and succeeding at Lead. They have excellent teachers, who are passionate about education--- and who are the hardest workers in the profession! My children participate in activities such as Girls on the Run, Basketball, and Science Club. We know that our kids are strong readers and excellent problem solvers...thanks to KIPP. If you are considering this school, talk to the principal and ask to meet some parents who are willing to give you a true perspective of what it's like to be a parent of a KIPP student. This school is not for those lacking grit--everyone is working hard to achieve greatness-- students, teachers, and yes, parents too. Good Luck--and hope to see you!
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2016

Teachers and administrators are openly rude, sarcastic and condescending to students and parents w/o any repercussions or apologies. On several occasions I have seen teachers yelling at crying students, being rude in the hallways and doing and/ saying things that they would not do if the parents were present. There isn't a parent organization for parents to voice their concerns about these issues, which should be a huge red flag to anyone who knows about the role that parent organizations are suppose to play in charter schools. I’ve heard that Kipp DC does have a great campus in SE Washington but the one located at 421 P St NW is not comparable on any level.Lately, I have been to several open houses in search for the best schools to apply to in the upcoming DCPS Lottery and I am amazed at how different the climate in most of the DCPS are compared to Lead Academy. I am impressed w/simple things like teachers being able to handle their classrooms like professionals instead of yelling and deciding to give up on the kids and not teach for the day. I am excited to see teachers encouraging students who are innovative in writing and literacy to excel and be great. I am encouraged by seeing enrichment programs for kids in grades 1-4 and a willingness and desire to teach our children that they can be anything that they put their minds and hard work behind.At Lead Academy testing is the curriculum and the students are not encouraged to excel if they are past the level that is taught in class. The curriculum is so narrow that I have had to remind the teachers to include Black History Month into the curriculum despite the fact that most of the students at Lead Academy are African-American.Teachers and people who interact with children are suppose to be nice to them and most certainly not mistreat them in the absence of their parents. The teachers and administrators at Lead Academy are hardening our children, they are treated like a nuisance simply because they are present at school. Lead Academy is dismissive of the concerns of parents and has not made any strides to improve parent-teacher-student relations. Teachers have a chance to improve the quality of life for so many of these students but instead they choose to use their teachable moments as a show of power over the powerless. KIPP DC Lead Academy is failing our kids on so many levels.