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Teaching at KSA
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
The KIPP Summit Academy academic program has three main characteristics:
- Standards-based curriculum. KIPP Summit Academy is a standards-based, data-driven school. All instruction is derived from the California content standards supplemented with the KIPP Grade 8 exit standards. KIPP Summit Academy's curriculum, scope and sequence, and teaching materials are all standards based and developed and designed by our teachers.
- Blend of traditional and student-centered instruction. At KIPP Summit Academy, instruction leverages both traditional and student-centered, constructivist instructional approaches. Language Arts courses integrate elements of Reader's and Writer's Workshops, phonics-based instruction for those in need of remediation, and more traditional instructional methods that support mastery of grammar, vocabulary and spelling. Math instruction focuses on two key areas: Math Procedures and Math Problem Solving. Math Procedures is a multi-sensory curriculum that promotes mastery of basic skills using non-traditional instructional methods: chanting, rapping, and singing. Math Problem Solving is a student-centered curriculum where students explore mathematical relationships, develop their own strategies for solving problems, use appropriate problem solving tools, work together cooperatively, and value each other's strategies.
- Standards-based assessments driving instruction. Depending on the subject or grade level, teachers use weekly or bi-weekly assessments to measure how well the students are mastering the standards. Teachers administer cumulative standards-based assessments, using the data to measure level of mastery and determine next steps. Assessment data drives the pace of the curriculum. Teachers also engage in a structured reflection around student level of mastery of standards.
More Time
A longer school day and a longer school year give students more time to acquire academic knowledge and skills as well as broad extracurricular experiences needed to prepare them for the most competitive high schools and colleges in the country.
- Extended school day - More time on task is central to the success of KSA students. Students attend school Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 7:25 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 7:25 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday school - Students attend school roughly one Saturday a month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. KSA teachers are only expected to teach eight Saturdays each year, which includes four academic Saturdays and four Enrichment Club days. Saturday school offers teachers an opportunity to get ahead in the curriculum, focus on standards students are struggling to master, and enrichment activities. Teachers also must attend Report Card Days.
- Extended school year - Students attend school for three additional weeks every summer (3 weeks in August).
More time for students requires more planning time for teachers.
At KIPP Summit Academy, teachers receive at least two hours of planning time each day, four days a week.
