The Opportunity to Learn – Helena, AR

KIPP Delta, a network of charter schools offering a free college-prep education to children in the Arkansas Delta, opened its doors in 2002, beginning as a single school with 65 5th grade students. Fourteen years later, KIPP Delta has grown into a network of six schools, enrolling more than 1,400 pre-K through 12th grade students. On average, 93 percent of KIPP graduates attend college.

With such impressive results, it’s little wonder KIPP Delta schools have a waiting list of more than 1,300 students. When KIPP Delta needed help financing the renovation of a vacant building into a vibrant new elementary school, HOPE provided $2 million in financing to the $6.5 million project.

“Thanks to HOPE, 450 students will have a new school,” says Scott Shirey, founder and executive director of KIPP Delta. “Only 10 percent of kids living in high-poverty areas graduate from college. Our mission is to get those students to and through college, and we appreciate HOPE’s help in that mission.”

One of the students who will benefit from the renovated Beech Crest Elementary School is current pre-K student Londyn McShan.

“Londyn loves school,” says her grandmother, longtime Helena resident Betty Carter. “I’ve lived
in this area for years, but my children didn’t have an opportunity like KIPP. They attended public school, and I can see the difference.  The teachers at KIPP are called to teach. They give and give to the children. At KIPP, I see loving discipline and order in the classroom. I also see the people who teach and lead at KIPP volunteering and involved in other things here. They care about our community.”

Carter believes that KIPP Delta can change the future not only of its students, but also of the communities it serves.

“My hope for Londyn is that she’ll be prepared for college and become a productive person in our community, or in any community where she chooses to live. If she’s well educated, she has a better chance to do that,” Carter says. “My hope for KIPP is to see it continue to expand and bring in good teachers who love our kids. From my heart, I love KIPP. It’s so needed in this community. KIPP is bettering our kids, making them more educated and disciplined. And with better-educated and disciplined kids comes a better-educated and disciplined community.”

“I also want to say thank you to HOPE for choosing KIPP. They will meet all of your expectations and make you proud. There is no better place to put your money.”