FAQ

  1. What is KIPP Infinity?

    2. KIPP Infinity Charter School is a free public school that opened in 2005 and currently serves 211 students in grades five through seven. Beginning in July of 2008, KIPP Infinity will be at full capacity, serving approximately 280 students in grades five through eight. Students are admitted to KIPP Infinity through a lottery regardless of academic record, conduct, or socio-economic background.

    In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to serve KIPP Infinity alumni in grades 9-12. We also plan to open an elementary school (Kindergarten through 4th grade) to feed KIPP Infinity.

  2. What sort of results have KIPP Infinity and other KIPP NYC schools had?

    3. • On the 2007 New York State tests, 99% of KIPP Infinity 6th graders (KIPP Infinity’s oldest students at the time) scored at or above grade level in Math, as compared to 63% citywide and 55% in the district where KIPP Infinity is located. In English/Language Arts, 84% of 6th graders scored at or above grade level, as compared to 50% citywide and 38% in KIPP Infinity’s host district.

    • KIPP Infinity’s student daily attendance rate is 97%.

    • 80% of KIPP NYC alumni are matriculating to college.

  3. What happens to KIPP NYC students when they go on to high school?

    4. KIPP NYC alumni attend college-preparatory schools in New York and throughout the country. Of KIPP NYC alumni currently in high school, 44% attend parochial schools, 33% attend public schools, 10% attend A Better Chance Community Schools, 7% attend boarding schools, and 6% attend independent day schools.

    In July 2009, KIPP NYC will open a high school to provide an additional high-quality college-preparatory option to students who complete KIPP Infinity and other KIPP NYC middle schools. Because we are committed to meeting each child’s academic and personal needs, we will continue to offer a high school placement program after the KIPP NYC High School opens, and we anticipate that a quarter of our alumni will continue to enroll in private, parochial, and specialized public high schools.

  4. What is the school schedule?

    5. KIPP Infinity students attend school from 7:25 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and from 7:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. They also attend Saturday school from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every other week as well as a three-week summer school session (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).

  5. What is the school calendar?

    6. During the regular school year, KIPP Infinity’s holidays and vacations generally coincide with the New York City Department of Education’s. A more detailed calendar is provided to all families in September. As noted above, summer school is mandatory for all KIPP Infinity students.

  6. Do the students wear uniforms to school? Do I have to pay for them?

    7. Yes. All students are required to wear uniforms, which consist of a KIPP Infinity t-shirt and navy pants or a navy skirt. All students will be provided with one KIPP Infinity shirt free of charge, and they will have the opportunity to purchase additional shirts over the summer and throughout the school year at a cost of $7 to $15 depending upon the style. Students provide their own pants and/or skirts.

  7. Do you take ELL (English Language Learner) or special education students?

    8. Yes. KIPP Infinity Charter School is open to and offers educational programming for all students, including English Language Learners and special education students. Please note that there are no self-contained bilingual education or special education classes.

  8. When is the first day of summer school?

    9. The first day of school for incoming 5th graders will be Monday, July 7, 2008. Summer School hours will be from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday from July 7 through July 25. There is no Saturday School during the summer.

  9. Do you have free breakfast and lunch programs?

    10. Yes. Those students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch will receive breakfast and lunch (and an afternoon snack) as they did at their previous school.

  10. Will KIPP Infinity provide transportation for my child to get to and from the school?

    11. As with any public school, KIPP Infinity will provide eligible students with a half-fare or full-fare MetroCard depending on how far they live from the school.

  11. Where is the school?

    12. The school is located in West Harlem at 625 West 133rd Street (between Broadway and 12th Avenues). KIPP Infinity is part of the Roberto Clemente building complex, which also houses I.S. 195.

  12. Whom can I contact with additional questions?

    13. Please contact Dilcia Cerón, Office Manager, at 212-991-2600, ext. 5000.

Lottery Process

  1. How are students admitted to KIPP Infinity?

    2. Students are admitted to KIPP Infinity by lottery. The only information needed to enter the lottery is the student’s and parents’/guardian’s name, the student’s birth date, and contact information. No test scores, demographic information, grades, recommendations, or behavioral history will be taken into consideration. In keeping with a new state law, KIPP Infinity will give preference to applicants who reside within KIPP Infinity’s community school district (District 5).

    The lottery is closed for the 2008-2009 school year. The application period for the 2009-10 school year will be held from January through March of 2009. More details will be available at a later date.

  2. How does the lottery work? Do I need to attend the lottery? How will I find out whether my child was selected in the lottery?

    3. KIPP Infinity plans to enroll 70-80 5th graders each year, including siblings and returning students who repeat 5th grade. If the number of students who apply to attend KIPP Infinity exceeds this number, as it typically does, then KIPP Infinity will conduct a lottery. All students entered into the lottery will have their names drawn from a box by an independent auditor. Open slots will be filled in the following order of priority:

    a. Returning students (guaranteed a slot)

    b. Siblings of students already enrolled in KIPP Infinity Charter School (by birth or legal adoption)

    c. Applicants who reside within KIPP Infinity’s community school district (District 5)

    d. All other applicants

    You do not have to be present at the lottery for your child to be eligible to attend KIPP Infinity.

    Students will be contacted by phone to discuss the expectations of the school in the order their names were drawn until all open slots are filled.

  3. Do you accept applications for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders?

    4. While there will be a lottery for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, we anticipate that there will be few, if any, open seats.

  4. Can I enter the lottery more than once?

    5. No. Each child may enter only once. Any duplicate applications will be taken out prior to the lottery.

  5. If I entered the lottery last year and my child was put on the waiting list, do I need to enter again?

    6. Yes. There is a new lottery every year. Waiting lists do not carry over from year to year.