KIPP North Carolina

What began as a simple conversation about trading cards has grown into something big at KIPP Durham Middle. Over the past month, ML teacher Dr. Pritchard and her scholars have become enthusiastic competitors in the world of BoBA (Bo Jackson Battle Arena), a sports trading card game featuring comic book style cards inspired by professional athletes.

The game started in her English Language Development class as a way to build English speaking, writing, and research skills. As scholar's confidence (and competitiveness!) grew, more students throughout the whole school joined in! Many students now spend their lunch and Saturday School electives practicing for their first official tournament.

With support from the broader BoBA community, including donated cards and a recent feature on the Good Morning Bo podcast, the team continues to build momentum.

Shoutout to Dr. Pritchard and the BoBA team, and best of luck in their upcoming competition!

This week, we celebrate the incredible School Operations teams who keep our schools running strong every single day! 🎉

From transportation and nutrition services to enrollment, facilities, scheduling, compliance, and everything in between — your work creates the foundation that allows teaching and learning to thrive.

Thank you for your dedication, problem-solving, flexibility, and commitment to students, families, and staff. So much of what you do happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout our entire school community every day.

Please join us in showing appreciation for our amazing School Operations professionals during School Operations Appreciation Week! 💙🍎

Throughout the year, Ms. Cymie Rawlins’ kindergarten class at KIPP Pride Lower Elementary tracked each book they read with their goal set at reading at least 1000 books as a class. This past month, they met that goal and had a celebration for becoming 1000 books smarter. Their celebration included each child earning a book of their own and a guest visit from the President of our local Halifax Community College, Dr. Patrena Elliot and her husband Dr. Stan Elliot.

Today is Teacher Appreciation Day, and it deserves its own spotlight 💙

To the educators who show up every single day with patience, creativity, and heart—thank you. You don’t just teach lessons; you build confidence, spark curiosity, and shape futures in ways that last far beyond the classroom.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, but today is a moment to pause and truly recognize the impact you make every single day. Your work matters. Your dedication matters. And our students are better because of you.

Take a moment today to celebrate a teacher who made a difference in your life—or let one know how much they’re appreciated.

Before Spring Break, KIPP Academy Charlotte hosted a PC4CHANGE event where all scholars were engaged in learning how to build a PC. These PCs were then donated to deserving KIPP scholars helping us bridge the technological divide. Families and community members were also in attendance, making it a true community-centered event. Scholars were exposed to valuable STEM skills while participating in a hands-on, meaningful learning experience. It was truly impactful for everyone involved.

Our Junior Beta Club at KIPP Pride Middle School celebrated Read Across America by visiting kindergarten classes at KIPP Pride Lower Elementary to read to the cubs. The cubs were excited for the visit, and the Beta Club was glad to share their joy in reading with them.

"I’m writing to share something that honestly moved me, both as a board member and as a father.

On April 2nd, PC4Change, a student led organization founded by my son Jaden and his co-founders, partnered with KIPP Charlotte to host a hands on computer building workshop for over 250 middle school students. I had never stepped foot in that gymnasium before, and I can tell you I was not prepared for what I walked into.

The energy in that room was electric. From the moment it started, students were fully locked in. They weren’t sitting back and watching. They were building personal computers from scratch, learning about every component, asking incredible questions, and helping each other through the process. You could see it clicking in real time. Students discovering that technology isn’t something that just happens to them. It’s something they can build, understand, and own.

This is a KIPP moment. This is exactly the kind of experience that defines what KIPP Charlotte is about: empowering students to believe they can do extraordinary things.

Every computer built that day was donated directly to KIPP students and their families. These aren’t just devices. They are tools for homework, for coding, for college research, and for opening doors that weren’t there before."

-James Scruggs, KIPP NC Board Member

PC4CHANGE/ KIPP SCHOOLS PC WORKSHOP Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

The Principal Ambassadors at KIPP Pride Middle School—who also serve as founding members of the National Junior Honor Society chapter—recently attended the National LEAD Conference in Washington, DC. During this experience, they expanded their knowledge, strengthened their leadership skills, and connected with student leaders from middle and high schools around the world. Scholars participated in impactful sessions focused on self-identity, community, and personal growth, while also gaining valuable insights from keynote speakers on mental health and overcoming adversity.

Our scholars at KIPP Academy Charlotte recently had the opportunity to attend The Beat the Streets play, and it was an impactful experience for all who participated. The performance delivered a powerful message about making positive choices, even in the face of peer pressure and life’s challenges.

Through real-life scenarios and engaging storytelling, scholars were encouraged to think critically about their decisions and understand the long-term impact of their actions. We are also excited to share that two of our scholars won prizes during the event, making the experience even more memorable. A special shoutout to Ms. Lee, our social worker, for organizing this opportunity for our scholars. Your dedication to supporting our students beyond the classroom does not go unnoticed.

Experiences like this are important as we continue to pour into the whole child, supporting not only academic growth but also character development. We are proud of our scholars for representing our school well and for leaning into opportunities that challenge them to grow both inside and outside of the classroom.