Our Mission

KIPP Summit Academy (KSA) will develop in our students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and character qualities necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools, colleges and the competitive world beyond.

Our Vision

At KIPP Summit Academy, ALL students will learn. KSA exemplifies a strong, results-focused, no-excuses culture built around high academic and behavioral expectations. KSA succeeds as a team-centered community based on clear, school-wide expectations for academics and student behavior. The KSA culture embodies four core values: excellence, teamwork, optimism, and integrity.

Addressing a Need

KIPP Summit Academy opened in 2003 when founding principal Jason Singer and four other co-founders (Cathy Cowan, Micah Westerman, Antonio Tapia, and Jane Han) recognized San Lorenzo’s need for an empowering, successful college-preparatory school of choice. San Lorenzo is the most under-resourced and often overlooked communities in the Bay Area, and, in addition, at-risk students in San Lorenzo attend schools challenged by low test scores and live in neighborhoods in need of more after school programs and services.

More Time

KSA's extended day and school year help address the enormous need for safe, constructive activities in San Lorenzo between school time and family time. Longer school days provide more time for math and more time for reading, giving students the time and instruction they need to get on a college preparatory track for life. The longer school day also enables us to develop our students into well-rounded individuals by providing electives such as physical education, technology, and orchestra.

KSA students attend school from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Students also attend school approximately 12 Saturdays a year and for three weeks in the summer. Two of the twelve Saturdays are reserved for Report Card Days. Report Card Days require teachers, students, and parents to meet and discuss student progress. Report Card Days strengthen the KSA community by providing more opportunities for communication between teachers and parents. The other Saturday schools are considered academic Saturdays. During academic Saturdays, teachers reinforce and extend the skills and content being taught within their classrooms. In addition to academic Saturday school and Report Card Days, we also have enrichment clubs aimed at turning our greater community into our classroom. While participating in Enrichment Clubs, students are engaged in various educational, life-changing adventures. Enrichment Clubs this year consist of the following: Musical Drama, Outdoor Adventure, Road Racing for Charity, School and Community Betterment, Spoken Word Poetry, and Swimming and Water Safety.

A Safe Community Where Children Learn

KSA focuses on developing inspiring, thoughtful and respectful citizens as well as accomplished scholars. Every student, teacher and parent signs the "KSA Commitment to Excellence," which outlines the commitment each of us makes to work, think, and behave in the best way we know how and to do whatever it takes to help us and all of our teammates learn. At KSA, there are no shortcuts and there are no excuses.

Focus on Results

At KSA, we are all climbing toward one summit - acceptance to a 4-year college. We will reach many summits along the way that will provide ample opportunities to celebrate our growth and progress; however, KSA ultimately will measure our success by the number of college acceptance letters each of our students receives when applying to college. We succeed when we have truly helped every child climb the mountain to college.