Bronx KIPP Academy

January 24, 2007, New York City
Contact: New York Foreign Press Center
Telephone: 212-317-8325; Email: nyfpc@state.gov

Seventeen journalists from eight countries toured the Bronx KIPP Academy, a New York City charter middle school that is part of a national network of 52 schools in 16 states and Washington, DC.  The KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) mission is to provide students -- largely from minority, low income and other marginalized communities -- with the social and academic skills necessary to succeed in life.  During the tour, journalists met with KIPP co-founder David Levin and Adam Tucker, a representative from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a major supporter of the KIPP initiative, as well as school principal Quinton Vance.  Given the school's commitment to open-door classrooms, journalists also had the opportunity to film classes in session and meet with and interview teachers and students.