Named Best Elementary & Middle Schools In The Nation for 2022

Posted January 12, 2022

After analyzing more than 80,000 public elementary and middle schools, U.S. News & World Report announced 9 awards to KIPP SoCal Public Schools for being among the Best Schools across the country!

Congratulations to our students for proving the possible and our innovative team for their unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence and nurturing environments that meet the needs of each student — where students feel valued, passionately curious, and eager to learn! Below you can find our top-ranked schools with their corresponding award(s):

KIPP Academy of Innovation | 5-8 | Best Middle School

KIPP Comienza Community Prep | TK-8 | Best Elementary & Middle School

KIPP Iluminar Academy | TK-4 | Best Elementary School

KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory | 5-8 | Best Middle School

KIPP Promesa Prep | TK-4 | Best Elementary School

KIPP Raíces Academy | TK-4 | Best Elementary School

KIPP Scholar Academy | 5-8 | Best Middle School

KIPP Sol Academy | 5-8 | Best Middle School

Specifically — based on data from the U.S. Department of Education — U.S. News’ inaugural Best K-8 Schools rankings were determined by evaluating two areas at each public school*:

Math And Reading Proficiency Or How Well Students Perform On State Assessments
Math And Reading Performance Or How Well Students Perform Compared To Expectations

In fact, according to U.S. News, our charter public schools are in the top 30% of best elementary and middle schools in California, also known as the most populous state with the greatest number of ranked schools in the country.

Moreover, we know that success in life depends on both academics and learning! Even though this U.S. News report does not take into account the measure of growth, we know that our whole-child approach to learning that goes beyond rigorous academics and focuses on character development, identity affirmation, enrichment activities, social-emotional learning, physical and mental health, and the nurturing of one's purpose — matters.

Each and every student that walks through our school doors bears so many gifts — they are ambitious, confident, inspiring with great perspectives, and so much more. In the words of our KIPPsters, "We come to school everyday because we are loved and we matter."

"[Our educators] support our students by amplifying their strengths and building upon them to develop the skills and confidence to thrive," said Angella Martinez, CEO of KIPP SoCal Public Schools. There's a reason why many remember their elementary and middle school teachers, our TK-8 educators play an integral role in helping shape and teach the building blocks of education.

Again, congrats to both our Big and Little KIPPsters on this national recognition — you are a driving force that's stepping into your power and lighting ever-wider paths to opportunity and change not only for yourself but for our communities as well.

^{*“The Best K-8 Schools rankings only include public schools. The state assessment data used in the rankings is from the 2018-2019 school year and therefore pre-dates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on test-taking.” U.S. News Announces New Rankings of Elementary and Middle Schools. Retrieved from www.usnews.com.}