KIPP SoCal Public Schools reviews

KIPP Scholar Academy has the absolute worst administrative team I have ever encountered. They have no true behavioral management systems in place and attempt to manage their students' behavior by yelling and physically intimidating them. The school's chaotic culture breeds disrespect towards teachers and prevents rigorous learning. If you walk through the school hallways, all you hear are overwhelmed teachers yelling at students and trying to maintain order in their classrooms. Academics are not a priority at this school and they have extremely low academic expectations. In the 2014-15 school year: 3 of their teachers resigned midyear. 50+ students withdrew from the school midyear About 25% of their staff are not coming back next school year.

Cons 1) Overall: If you are a man this org is not for you. I have never worked in such a toxic work environment. 2) Work environment: All 3 new Black employees this year are quitting, and multiple male employees have complained to admin about gender discrimination. The CEO and exec board spend money on quarterly corporate events to get people to forget about the overwork and low salaries. You are paid below LAUSD, work longer hours, and are assigned tasks that would be multiple jobs in a public school district (lunch duty, arrivals and departures, weekly presentations, etc.). Feedback is not anonymous and they don't tell you when they are evaluating you (i.e., they could say they're coming to assist with a disruptive student but write down notes saying you can't run your classroom). 3) Curriculum: stale, not culturally relevant. Everything is tied to tests and they don't let you innovate. 4) Gender equity: There is favoritism for girls over boys. Boys are sent home/yelled at for cussing at teachers, but girls can do the same and more without anything happening to them.