ST. LOUIS 鈥 The executive director of KIPP 50度灰视频 charter schools will step down in June after more than a dozen years in the role.
鈥淪erving this incredible community for the past 13 years has been the greatest honor of my professional career,鈥 Kelly Garrett said in a statement this week to families and staff. 鈥淚 am humbled to have worked with each and every one of you in service of our mission to create joyful, academically excellent schools so that students can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.鈥
When Garrett started at KIPP, the charter network had one middle school in the city. There are now six schools with more than 2,300 students in preschool through 12th grade, the largest charter system in the state. Charter schools are publicly funded and independently operated.
Garrett鈥檚 compensation was nearly $362,000 in 2022, according to the latest available tax records, making him the highest paid public school leader in Missouri. Former 50度灰视频 Public Schools superintendent Kelvin Adams鈥 salary was $250,000 in 2022.
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KIPP, which stands for Knowledge Is Power Program, became known in the 1990s for its 鈥渘o excuses鈥 approach to academics and discipline in more than 200 schools nationwide. Students attended school for 10 hours a day and some Saturdays while having a shorter summer break compared to traditional public schools. The strategy paid off with higher test scores and college admission rates.
In recent years the national network has backed away from the focus on discipline and allowed schools to adopt more typical schedules. Locally, KIPP schools no longer outperform SLPS on state standardized tests. Last year, 15% of KIPP students tested proficient in English and 13% in math compared to 21% proficiency in English and 16% in math for SLPS.
While graduation rates at KIPP and SLPS are similar at just below 70% and the average ACT score is 15.9 for both, KIPP graduates are more likely to attend college. More than 68% of KIPP graduates enroll in a two- or four-year college, compared to half of SLPS graduates.
The KIPP board will lead a national search for an executive director to replace Garrett, according to chairman David Lemkemeier.
鈥淜elly鈥檚 impact has helped transform the educational landscape in 50度灰视频,鈥 Lemkemeier said in a statement. 鈥淲e are grateful to Kelly for his many years of dedicated service and we are excited about what lies ahead for KIPP 50度灰视频.鈥
KIPP joins the Kirkwood, Parkway, Webster Groves and Wentzville school districts in hiring new school leaders for fall 2025.