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Be a part of the KIPP Detroit experience and enroll your child today. We’re now accepting applications for Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade for the 2025-26 school year.

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About KIPP Detroit

KIPP Detroit Imani Academy is free and open to all. Founded and led by a Detroit native, our school is part of the national network of KIPP Public Schools. We brought KIPP to Detroit with a mission to create schools that partner closely with families, focus on excellence, and—most importantly—ensure that every student has the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

Hear what KIPP parent, Raina, has to say about why KIPP Detroit was the right choice for her scholar.

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A New Campus is Coming!

Founded and led by a Detroit native, our school is committed to ensuring the children of Detroit experience joyous classrooms AND academic excellence. At KIPP Detroit Imani Academy (KDIA), our motto is “In Love & Excellence.” We do our best to foster an environment that nurtures both. We are educators who use the deep love we have for our scholars in combination with our expertise to deliver a transformational educational experience. Our goal is to ensure they receive a solid academic foundation because we know this foundation paves the way for them to live the life of their dreams.

At KDIA, you only have to “say yes once.” Our future campus will operate 3 schools (Elementary, Middle, and High School). So, once you enroll your child in Kindergarten, you can rest assured that they’re on a life-changing trajectory until they leave us in grade 12.

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KIPP Detroit is Growing!

We will move to our permanent location at 8435 Rutland St., Detroit, MI 48228 in August 2027. This new location will give us the space to best serve our families, and in time, grow KIPP Detroit with the addition of a middle and high school.

Our Classrooms

Students learn best when they are challenged, cared for, and encouraged. So, KIPP Detroit teachers are intentional about making each child feel seen and valued for who they are and providing the tools to help students reach their full potential. All KDIA teachers are certified in the state of Michigan.

Enrollment Process

A simple online Enrollment Interest Form is required for students to attend KIPP Detroit Imani Academy. If you have questions about the application or need assistance, please call (313) 474-2777 or email enroll@kippdetroit.org.

Upon acceptance, families will need to complete the registration process. A member of our Enrollment Team will work with you to complete an online form and submit required documents (birth certificate, parent/guardian photo ID, proof of address, and immunization records).

Throughout the summer, we will host orientation events to ensure that our families and students are set-up for success to start the school year strong. These meetings will help families learn important information and receive resources for your child’s first day!

Frequently Asked Questions

We have assembled a team that loves their job. Your child will be greeted by a joyous adult at 7:50am each morning. A grab-and-go breakfast will be available to all students every day. Students will begin their day with a community circle, followed by a classroom morning meeting. The day continues with instruction in reading, math, science, social studies, and physical education. Students will have a daily lunch and recess block as well as other opportunities to socialize and collaborate with classmates. Students will dismiss at 4:00pm from Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, students will dismiss at 2:00pm. Yes, kids come to school to learn, but we also want your child to experience love and a feeling of belonging. Our experienced team will focus on academics but we will also infuse their day with humor, kindness, and love.
We recognize that class size has a direct impact on a child’s learning experience. Our goal is to maintain class sizes of 26-28 students so that teachers can provide our children with a personalized learning experience.
Our goal is that our kids are readers when they leave our kindergarten classrooms. Our approach to reading ensures that all students are strong readers, writers, and communicators so that they can learn, discover, and express themselves, and craft their future. KDIA’s math curriculum pushes students to think critically about mathematical concepts and apply those concepts to solve real world problems. Students will have opportunities to collaborate with classmates to justify their reasoning and critique the reasoning of others. Science instruction blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers.

The bulk of the kindergarten school day is spent in reading and math. Students will have science, social studies, recess, and physical education blocks as well, with the opportunity for various art activities infused throughout.
We believe every child walks through the doors of our school bearing gifts. And, at KIPP Detroit Public Schools, we seek to support those gifts and their academic skills.

First and foremost, we build relationships with our kids. Our goal is to create a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where they feel seen and valued.

We will come to know your child’s academic strengths and areas of growth through a set of assessments. Our teachers will be trained to look at those assessments and create a plan for your child. As our partner, we will ensure that you understand what is being assessed, what your child’s score means, and how we work together to ensure your child is growing.
No! As long as your student is currently enrolled and registered with KDIA, they will have a permanent spot through the 12th grade.
Students are selected via a random selection drawing. Families can complete an enrollment interest form here. Submitting an enrollment interest form adds your student to the enrollment lottery.
KIPP Detroit Imani Academy is a completely tuition-free school; there are no fees required to attend. Free breakfast and lunch will be available for all students daily. All students will receive their first uniform shirt for free, but additional shirts will be available for purchase. While we may ask for small contributions to support the costs of some field trips, no student will be prohibited from attending any field trip solely due to the inability to pay.
Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students daily at no cost.
Yes! All students must wear khaki bottoms, closed toed gym shoes, and a KIPP Detroit Imani Academy polo shirt. All students will receive their first polo shirt for free. Additional shirts can be purchased from the school. When the weather is cooler, KDIA sweatshirts will also be available for purchase from the school.
KIPP Detroit Imani Academy (KDIA) is currently located at on Detroit’s west side at 19321 W. Chicago. You can get directions here.

We will move to our permanent location at 8435 Rutland St (Detroit, MI 48228) in August 2027. This new location will give us the space to best serve our families, and in time, grow KIPP Detroit with the addition of a middle and high school.