Flor Montoya knew that she wanted to put her son, Carlos, on the path to college early in life. After enrolling him in a head start program, she began to notice that he had some weaknesses in the classroom. An enthusiastic writer and a quick learner, Carlos struggled with attentiveness in class and faced distractions that limited his ability to excel.
Montoya began to research other options for Carlos and learned about KIPP Public Charter Schools. She was interested in the unique vision of the school and felt that their teaching methods would help her son to succeed in the classroom.
When she learned about a Families Empowered School Connection Fair, she decided to attend in order to learn more about KIPP in person. There, she was introduced to a variety of other school options – many of which she was unaware of previously. After speaking with KIPP representatives, and working with Families Empowered staff, Montoya decided to apply to KIPP for Carlos.
“I chose KIPP because I believe their approach to learning would encourage more discipline in my son,” Montoya said. “They are focused on teaching children who have specific weaknesses, and that was exactly what I had been looking for in a school. Without Families Empowered I wouldn’t have been able to even apply. I didn’t know many people who had gone through the process before, and Families Empowered helped to calm my doubts and showed me many different options.”
At only 5 years old, Carlos is a long way from applying to college, but that is the future that Montoya now sees for him. Making the decision to search for other school options has made a real difference in the life of her family and she encourages other parents to consider making a change as well.
“Other possibilities are out there,” she said. “When you dare to search for a better education for your children, they will find the support that they need to reach their goals.”
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is on a mission to develop in underserved students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and qualities of character necessary to succeed at all levels of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and the competitive world beyond. To learn more about enrollment at KIPP please visit https://kippaustin.org/