KIPP Student Leadership Summit

The annual KIPP Student Leadership Summit provides students from KIPP schools across the nation with the opportunity to come together and participate in two full days of leadership development and teamwork activities. The location varies each year, but is often a natural setting within the context of a true “retreat”.

Throughout the school year, KIPP students are encouraged by their teachers and principals to not only aspire to high academic performance, but to exhibit the type of character and leadership qualities that will empower them to succeed in college and in life. The Student Leadership Summit is held as a way to focus on these areas and provide students with the opportunity to work together—while meeting their fellow KIPPsters from other schools all over the country.

2007 Student Leadership Summit

The 2007 SLS was held at the Westminster Woods Camp in Occidental, California. Highlights of the weekend included:

School Improvement Proposals Contest – New to the Student Leadership Summit in 2007, the School Improvement Proposals contest was met with great success, with student leaders from nearly every school working together to develop proposals that outlined a plan to address an unmet need in their school or community. See details below.
Leadership and Teamwork Activities – From completing the Kraybill Conflict Styles Inventory to help students assess their own leadership traits, to participating in a high ropes course and labyrinth walk, students were challenged to work together in an atmosphere of encouragement and support.
Panel Discussions – With several seasoned KIPP student leaders sharing and reflecting on learning and leading at their respective KIPP schools, the panel discussions offered students new perspectives and insights.
KIPP Idol Talent Show– The culmination of the weekend featured KIPP students performing in a talent show to a sold-out audience, with song and dance performances that highlighted leadership qualities ranging from integrity and humility, to creativity, intuition and dedication.

School Improvement Proposals Contest

The first-annual “school improvement proposals” contest, which began during the Student Leadership Summit in California in September of 2007, garnered great support from the entire KIPP network and Foundation staff. By posting the top ten proposals and an online voting mechanism on the internal KIPP website, staff and students were able to read proposals and cast their votes.

The process provided everyone at KIPP with an opportunity to listen to the voices of students, and to learn about the creative ideas they have for improving their schools and their communities. In doing so, KIPP continues to offer avenues for expression and achievement by encouraging healthy competition.

The top four School Improvement Proposals for 2007 were:

KIPP Austin College Preparatory - Austin, TX
Jamileth and Romario offered a vision of increased school pride and student connections through their plan to create a new, landscaped courtyard. By transforming a portion of their southern grass field into an outdoor gathering space complete with benches and tables, Jamileth and Ramario hope to “build friendships and strengthen leadership among all sixth-grade students as we work together with teachers, administrators and parent-volunteers.”
KIPP Believe College Preparatory - New Orleans, LA
Khaila and Tyrin provided a practical, well-thought-out plan to save money, resources and the environment through a school-sponsored recycling program. With specific ideas ranging from using double-sided worksheets to assembling a school recycling team, Khaila and Tyrin hope to lessen their school’s impact to the environment and state: “We believe that in our school and in our community this is one of our top issues that we can solve through hard work now and for future generations.”
KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts - New Orleans, LA
Ogunsola and Nicholas stayed true to the creative spirit of McDonogh 15 by conceiving of an innovative recycling plan to turn waste into art. By providing a unique solution to a trash problem that has plagued the city of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, Ogunsola and Nicholas state: “We hope this program can continue for many years, making it possible for New Orleans residents to recycle again!”
KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory - Tulsa, OK
Ladonna and Larry outlined a detailed and thoughtful plan for implementing a school crossing-guard system to ensure the safety and protection of their fellow KIPPsters. Citing teamwork and respect as critical to achieving their goals, Ladonna and Larry explain: “KIPPsters will need to respect the new rules because it is in our best interest to follow the rules so that no one gets hurt.”