KIPP/STEP Students Helped Bring Campus to Life This Summer

by Jessica Day with thanks to Mark Scandling

Without its student body, the Deerfield campus has a distinctly different feel during the summer months. In spite of construction projects and a smattering of faculty and staff, there is a feeling in the air that something is missing, something is not quite right. This summer that feeling was dispelled for three weeks as 47 KIPP/STEP students from as far away as California and as close as Greenfield, descended on the academy.

The result of nearly two years of hard work on the part of Associate Dean of Admission Jeff Armes and Cheryl Plummer of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), the three-week program hosted by Deerfield is the first of its kind in the nation. Mr. Armes was also part of the team that created the STEP (Success Through the Enrichment Program) program at Deerfield in 2000, the goal of which was to challenge local, educationally underserved students with high academic potential to develop their talents and become lifelong learners. STEP also sought to provide students from diverse backgrounds with a rewarding educational experience, artistic opportunities and recreational activities within a boarding school environment.

Why not expand that type of program and welcome deserving students from all over the country? thought Mr. Armes, who was familiar with KIPP schools due to his work in the Admission Office. And so he approached Head of School Margarita Curtis with his idea; Ms. Curtis was enthusiastic and supportive, and the planning began in earnest.

According to their website, KIPP is a nationwide "network of free, open-enrollment, college preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life." There are currently 65 KIPP schools in 19 states and the District of Columbia, which serve over 16,000 students in grades five through eight.

The KIPP students who attended the summer program at Deerfield were chosen because of their extraordinary academic talent as well as the fact that they had previously expressed an interest in perhaps attending boarding school.

In order to make the three-week program as productive as possible, the program coordinators decided to present an English and science (biology and chemistry) intensive. This format gave students a chance to delve deeply into a single piece of literature (The Great Gatsby), dissect and interpret poetry and short stories, and make use of Deerfield's well-equipped facilities in the Koch Center. The bio/chem focus also addressed some concerns of KIPP alumni, who have noted on surveys that they have often felt underprepared for high school science classes.

Every day at Deerfield was filled with five hours of classroom work and two hours of "homework" but during the afternoons, students were able to enjoy salsa dancing, stepping, stick and dodge ball, and the Koch Pool, where they relaxed or learned to swim under the guidance of Associate Director of Athletics Martha Seretta.

Four KIPP teachers and three members of Deerfield's faculty (Dennis Cullinane, science; Andy Harcourt, science; and Mark Scandling, English) served as teachers for the program. Three current Deerfield students and two recent graduates, who are also all KIPP alumni, helped to round out the field, serving as teaching assistants and proctors.

According to Mr. Armes and Ms. Plummer, a great deal of learning took place both in and out of the classroom, and both agreed that this process was enhanced by having KIPP alumni on hand as mentors and role models. "The kids loved it," said Ms. Plummer, "they transitioned so well!"

On Friday, July 25, the program culminated in a series of declamations and PowerPoint presentations by the KIPP/STEP students, which illustrated perfectly just how much they had all learned. The presentations were followed by closing ceremonies, the awarding of certificates of completion and a celebratory dinner.

Mr. Armes said that it is his hope that the program will continue to grow in coming years, and said that it was wonderful to see such a high level of support for the program from its inception. "A spark was generated and fueled very quickly," said Mr. Armes. "It has been a win/win situation." He added, "I can honestly say I've never felt more pride in young people's accomplishments."

Funding for this year's summer program was provided by the KIPP Foundation, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Deerfield Academy, and the Gordon and Maggie Gray P'02 and Richard and Susan Braddock Foundations. For more information on KIPP schools, visit www.kipp.org.