Pros
Excellent training and commitment to students and families. Training around lesson execution is unmatched. The school is connected to some of the best schools in the country and is extremely innovative due to this. Students are held to high standards continuous and taught empathy to develop them as leaders. There is a strong commitment to diversity, which is seen throughout the company. The school is receptive to feedback, but solutions are slow to be implemented. Additionally, Kauffman strives to be a proof point in Kansas City, MO. It has sought feedback from national charter programs to identify what it can improve in order to attain high results for students. This level of commitment to excellence is refreshing in a profession that often pushes towards mediocrity.
Cons
Work/life balance is not appropriate. Most, if not all, employees who start families eventually leave or have to be put on an adjusted schedule. With the exception of 2 school deans, none of the leaders have kids. This fact is telling about what the job allows and does not allow. Once you have worked at the school for a year and shown proficiency, the development slows down dramatically so that they can focus on all the new teachers they have to bring in to accommodate the low retention. This can be frustrating as many teachers come to Kauffman to learn and grow.