Resources for Families

At KIPP DC, we support your student while they're in school and beyond. We have a team of college & career counselors to help them navigate college and career options, and KIPP Forward to help them upon graduation from a KIPP school. 

• Community Service Hours: To graduate high school in the District of Columbia, a student must complete 75 hours of community service if they are in the Class of 2025. Beginning with Class of 2026 and every class after is required to complete 100 hours of community service. To find service opportunities, please visit the community service page. 

• Academic and Extra-Curricular Involvement: KIPP DC provides your student with plenty of opportunities to explore their interests through a senior seminar, college and career fairs, and extra-curricular activities, including athletics, student government, chess club, band, and dozens of student clubs. Encourage your student to get involved! 

• Explore Summer Programs: Colleges and universities around the country offer summer programs for high school students (typically rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors) to help them get a sense of what college is like. Some programs are free for students, and others offer financial aid. Please encourage your student to talk to their counselor to learn more.

JUNIOR YEAR

• Attend your student's Junior College & Career Night: Parents, guardians, and students are encouraged to attend the Junior College & Career Night hosted annually by the College & Career Counseling Team. During this session, you and your student will become familiar with the college and career team at their school and will leave with a better understanding of how KIPP DC is here to support your student's future. This event typically takes place in February.

• Research college and career options: Encourage your student to take a free assessment to help them explore their interests and potential careers. Are they interested in attending college or pursuing a career post-graduation? Your student will be matched with a college & career counselor during their junior year. This counselor will help you and your student explore their next steps. 

Here are resources to help you and your student explore colleges and career options:

• • • Colleges & Universities

    • Gap Year & Career Opportunities

SENIOR YEAR

• College and Career Program Applications: In the Fall, your student will finalize their College & Career Wishlist with their counselor. Before applying to programs, they should finalize their personal statement/essay. Some schools offer fly-in programs, which cover the cost of college visits for prospective students. Some schools also offer fee waivers to cover the cost of applying. If you or your student have questions, please contact your student's counselor.

• Financial Aid and Scholarships: All students and families applying for college should complete a FASFA application to receive federal aid. To apply, you'll need to have filed taxes the previous year. In addition, students and families can also complete a CSS profile to apply for institutional aid. Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships to help cover their education costs. Counselors will meet with students and their families to help them assess the cost of their education. 

Students with 504s & IEPs

The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provides vocational and rehabilitative services to individuals with disabilities to help them secure employment opportunities. RSA supports high school students with disabilities in their transition to post-secondary plans, which can take the form of funding for college and certificate programs.