KIPP North Carolina

Student Spotlight:

🎓 Congratulations to Marquise, a proud graduate of the Class of 2026!

Marquise’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance and growth. When he entered the program three years ago, he was reading at a 3rd-grade level. Through hard work, determination, and commitment, he completed the program reading and writing at a 10th–11th grade level.

Today, Marquise is working as a grill cook at McDonald's and is preparing to take the next step toward his future by attending barber school.

We are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished and can't wait to see what comes next. Keep shining, Marquise! 🌟👏

Shoutouts to the Battle Arena (BoBa) Team at KIPP Durham Middle for hosting their first tournament! Battlers spent their Saturday afternoon progressing through multiple rounds of tournament play, battling each other until only one champion was left standing. The tournament was hosted by members of the BoBa community, coming in from as far away as Alabama to provide an amazing experience for the KDMS team. Players were sponsored with cards, mats, and prizes from supporters around the country and they broadcasted live throughout the tournament. Some players even found collectible cards in their decks and had the opportunity to auction them off live online, raising over $800 to support the team and future tournaments.

Congratulations to Dr. Pritchard and her team of players and special shoutouts to Nelson, the grand champion, who will travel to Washington, D.C. later this month where he will compete against other players at the Star City Games Convention. This event is part of the 2026 Regional Tournament circuit, serving as an official stop on the BoBA Pro Tour. The team is already working on their plans to expand and host even more tournaments in the future!

On June 12, 2026, 74 seniors proudly graduated from KIPP Pride High School, marking an important milestone in their educational journey.

The Pride of 2026 achieved remarkable outcomes, with 70% matriculating to bachelor's degree programs at colleges and universities across North Carolina, Maine, New York, Kentucky, and other states throughout the country. Collectively, this outstanding class earned $4,301,059 in scholarships, a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have accomplished during their time at KIPP Pride. As they embark on the next chapter of their journeys, we wish them continued success, growth, and fulfillment in their college and career pursuits.

Once a KIPPster, always a KIPPster. Congratulations, Pride of 2026!

Happy Juneteenth!

At KIPP Pride Lower Elementary 94% of students were present for BOTH days of the i-Ready benchmark and showed growth on one OR both assessments!

To celebrate their amazing hard work, scholars got to become “drink creators” for the day by mixing up their own fun and refreshing treats! They picked their favorite flavors, added candy toppings, and enjoyed a sweet reward for all their dedication and growth!

We are so proud of our kinder cubs!

What began as a simple conversation about trading cards has grown into something big at KIPP Durham Middle. Over the past month, ML teacher Dr. Pritchard and her scholars have become enthusiastic competitors in the world of BoBA (Bo Jackson Battle Arena), a sports trading card game featuring comic book style cards inspired by professional athletes.

The game started in her English Language Development class as a way to build English speaking, writing, and research skills. As scholar's confidence (and competitiveness!) grew, more students throughout the whole school joined in! Many students now spend their lunch and Saturday School electives practicing for their first official tournament.

With support from the broader BoBA community, including donated cards and a recent feature on the Good Morning Bo podcast, the team continues to build momentum.

Shoutout to Dr. Pritchard and the BoBA team, and best of luck in their upcoming competition!

This week, we celebrate the incredible School Operations teams who keep our schools running strong every single day! 🎉

From transportation and nutrition services to enrollment, facilities, scheduling, compliance, and everything in between — your work creates the foundation that allows teaching and learning to thrive.

Thank you for your dedication, problem-solving, flexibility, and commitment to students, families, and staff. So much of what you do happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout our entire school community every day.

Please join us in showing appreciation for our amazing School Operations professionals during School Operations Appreciation Week! 💙🍎