KIPP Columbus KIPP Forward

KIPP Columbus High students set a high bar for their futures that fits with their goals and sense of purpose.

For some, that college for others, it means serving our country, learning a trade, entering the workforce or creating a business.

KIPP Forward supports students to discover what a fulfilling life means to them, then break through any barrier that stands in their way of achieving it. We help students to choose and prepare for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. Once on their way, the KIPP Forward team helps alumni tackle academic, social, and financial challenges they might encounter while pursuing their dreams.

The KIPP Forward program uses KIPP’s national college match framework to ensure students matriculate to their best-fit postsecondary option — college, career, and beyond. The KIPP Forward team supports our college prep focus in all of our schools. They also work with current KIPP Columbus High KIPPsters to provide College Credit Plus courses, college and career exploration, ACT prep support, financial literacy instruction, summer program and internship matching, and so much more.

Graduation Requirements
for the Class of 2024

Below are the requirements for KIPP Columbus High Class of 2024 graduation. Should you have specific questions regarding your child’s path to graduation please contact Eric Remlinger using the email below.

Earn 20 Credits (per the State of Ohio)
- English Language Arts – 4 Credits
- Mathematics – 4 Credits
- Science – 3 Credits
- Social Studies – 3 Credits
- Health – ½ Credit
- Physical Education – ½ Credit
- Electives – 5 Credits
Demonstrate Competency
- Earned a competency score of 684 on Ohio’s high school Algebra I and English II tests.
- Students who do not pass the test will be offered additional support and must retake the test at least once.
Show Readiness
- Earn two of the following diploma seals. At least one of the two seals must be an Ohio seal.
  - Ohio Seals
    - OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal
    - Industry-Recognized Credential
    - College-Ready
    - Military Enlistment
    - Citizenship
    - Science
    - Honors Diploma
    - Biliteracy
    - Technology
  - Local Seals
    - Community Service (Local)
    - Fine and Performing Arts
    - Student Engagement

College & Career Readiness

Our College and Career Readiness programming ensures that our high school students receive the proper knowledge, exposure, and support to successfully enroll in a best-match college or career program upon graduation.

College and Career Exposure

We recognize the importance of early career exposure to fuel students’ passions and purpose. Each student will be exposed to programming and field trips that will allow them to explore and reflect on their interests, passions, and skills, and use these insights to develop individual career plans and attain career exposure opportunities in their freshman/sophomore years.

AP for All

Our program ensures that every student will be enrolled in at least one AP course before graduation. In fact, our AP for All approach is a hallmark of our high school program. We believe that enrollment in AP coursework in high school not only exposes our students to college-level curriculum at an early age, but also provides meaningful at-bats with the skills and habits that all students need to be successful in college. Colleges who review our students’ applications know that KIPP Columbus High School students have competitive profiles as a result of their involvement with AP coursework.

College Credit Plus

Students are also encouraged to participate in College Credit Plus. Through the College Credit (CCP) Program, students in grades 7-12 can take college courses through Columbus State Community College to earn free college credit and fulfill their high school graduation requirements at the same time. College courses not only give students the advantage of learning how to meet a college-level standard of academic rigor, they also help offset the cost and time it takes to earn a college degree. By taking college classes, earning an associate degree at Columbus State, and then transferring to complete a bachelor’s degree, students reap all the benefits of the traditional college path, and save tens of thousands of dollars – graduating with little to no student debt.

Junior Year

Juniors at KIPP Columbus High School complete a comprehensive college and career readiness curriculum that focuses on self-awareness, career success, and college knowledge. Curriculum topics include researching colleges and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, writing a personal statement, preparing for college entrance exams, developing healthy relationships, and building a personal brand. For more information about junior year, please contact Grace Fauquet.

Senior Year

In partnership with families, counselors work with students to build college or CTE program lists, complete financial aid applications, and decide which college/CTE/military program to commit to after high school. For more information, please contact Tyree Tate. For questions about the Early Decision cohort, please contact Grace Fauquet.

Strong Transition & Persistence

Once a KIPPster always a KIPPster. Beyond graduation, each senior student will connect with the Alumni Coordinator in order to support their post-graduation efforts up to a year after graduation. The Coordinator will assess students’ college and CTE completion progress through a collection called “Persistence Benchmarks” which include financial health, academic habits and planning, socio-emotional health, and career planning.