KIPP, which stands for Knowledge is Power Program, will be opening a high school this August with a focus on getting students ready for college and for jobs in AI and technology.
“At KIPP Miami Technical High School, technology and AI are not just tools. They are part of how students learn to think, create and solve real-world problems,” said Maria-Cristina Ventresca, the managing director of marketing, communications and enrollment for KIPP.
The school, which will be located on Miami Dade College’s North Campus, will also offer business and digital and commercial arts as part of its curriculum.
Ventresca said that the need for high-quality school options for students in Greater Miami’s urban core communities led to the creation of KIPP Miami Tech.
In 2020, KIPP Courage Academy, a middle school, opened in Liberty City and the following year, KIPP Royalty Academy, an elementary school, opened in Opa-locka. Cumulatively, over 1,000 students are enrolled in those schools.
KIPP started as a middle school program in Houston, Texas in 1994. Now, it’s grown to be a national network of 279 tuition-free public charter schools, enrolling nearly 125,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade across over 20 states.
“At KIPP Miami Technical High School, a typical day is designed to be both rigorous and relevant, preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond,” said Kinyette Henderson, who will be the principal there.
“During the academic day, students take core classes like English, math, science, and social studies, alongside technical and career-focused courses aligned to high-demand fields,” she said.
After graduating from The George Washington University, Henderson joined Teach for America and taught middle school English at KIPP Believe College Prep in New Orleans. She served on the KIPP board as an alumni representative and helped design curriculums.
Ventresca said that what makes the school unique is its emphasis on real-world application.
“Our model is built around three career-connected pathways that give students both exposure and depth,” she said of the AI and technology, business and digital and commercial arts curriculums. “Across all three pathways, students will have opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and engage in hands-on, project-based learning. By graduation, students will not only have a strong academic foundation, but also a portfolio of work and real skills that set them apart,” she added.
MGT, a technology and advisory company, made a $300,000 in-kind investment to KIPP Miami Tech. “The partnership also brings in national expertise and industry partners to help shape curriculum, mentorship, and career-connected opportunities for students,” Ventresca said of MGT.
“Ultimately, the goal is to position KIPP Miami Tech as an AI-native high school and a national model for preparing students for the future of work,” said Ventresca. “Our long-term vision is clear: we want Miami employers to see KIPP Miami Tech as a pipeline of talented, prepared young people.”
Caitlin Granfield is a freelance journalist in South Florida. In addition to Refresh Miami, her articles, covering a variety of topics, can be found in the Miami Herald, Aventura Magazine, Miami New Times, WLRN and the Biscayne Times.
