KIPP charter network is closing 7 of its Texas schools

KIPP Texas Public Schools, one of the largest charter operators in the state, says it will close five Austin and two San Antonio schools in 2026 in response to enrollment decline.

The Austin American-Statesman reports the closures come at a time that many traditional Texas school districts are closing campuses in response to low enrollment and fiscal woes.

KIPP officials say the closings are meant to get ahead of predicted declining enrollment at these campuses.

Closing will be KIPP Alegría Primary, a prekindergarten to fourth grade school, and KIPP Academy of Arts & Letters, a fifth through eighth grade campus.

In South Austin, closing will be KIPP Austin Obras, a Pre-K to fourth grade campus; KIPP Beacon Prep, a fifth through eighth grade campus; and KIPP Austin Brave, a ninth through 12th grade campus.

The charter district is also closing KIPP Un Mundo Primary and KIPP Camino Academy in San Antonio.

Sehba Ali, CEO of KIPP Texas, said the closures would let the district “operate smarter and serve our families more effectively.” 

Throughout Texas, KIPP enrolls about 32,700 students, a figure that’s growing. About 2,642 students within Austin district boundaries attend a KIPP campus. However, that enrollment has decreased since the 2020-21, when 3,167 students within the Austin district attended KIPP schools.

KIPP said all students at a campus being closed will retain a spot at another KIPP school, if they choose.