Commitment to Excellence

KIPP Heartwood Academy believes in a partnership among parents, students, and teachers that puts learning first. Upon enrollment (for students and families) or hiring (for faculty and staff) all three parties sign a learning pledge called the "Commitment to Excellence," which ensures that each will do whatever it takes to help the student learn.

Teachers’ Commitment:

We fully commit to KIPP Heartwood Academy in the following ways:

•	We will arrive at KIPP Heartwood Academy every day by 7:00 A.M. (Monday – Friday)
•	We will remain at KIPP Heartwood Academy until 5:00 P.M. every day and until 6 P.M. as needed. (Monday – Friday)
•	We will come to KIPP Heartwood Academy on appropriate Saturdays at 8:45 A.M. and remain until 1:15 P.M.
•	We will teach at KIPP Heartwood Academy during the summer.
•	We will always teach in the best way we know how, and we will do whatever it takes for every single one of our students to learn.
•	We will plan and execute rigorous lessons to prepare our students for success in college and in life.
•	We will hold all of our students, parents, fellow staff members, and ourselves to KIPP Heartwood Academy’s high expectations.
•	We are committed to results.
•	We will collaborate and plan with colleagues on a regular basis.
•	We are committed to our own professional growth and constant learning. We will give each other feedback regularly.
•	We will make ourselves available to students and parents during the school day.
•	We will make ourselves available to students, parents, and fellow staff members via phone in the evenings, until 9:00 P.M., on weekends, and during vacations to address any questions or concerns they may have.
•	We will regularly provide parents with updates on their children’s progress.
•	We will respect everyone at KIPP Heartwood Academy regardless of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, disability, lifestyle, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. I will always act in a professional manner when speaking with someone at KIPP Heartwood Academy.
•	We will always protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom.
•	We will strive to be the best teachers we can be, modeling excellence and taking no shortcuts in preparing our students for success in college and in life.