For Atlanta students dreaming about what comes after high school, a new investment is helping turn those possibilities into pathways.
KIPP Atlanta Schools announced Aug. 24 that Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is providing a $35,000 grant to expand college and career readiness opportunities across its network, strengthening postsecondary advising, career exploration, leadership development and experiences designed to help students prepare for life beyond high school.
KIPP Atlanta Schools is an open-enrollment network of nine charter schools serving more than 4,500 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded in 2003, the network has educated thousands of students and supports more than 2,000 alumni in college and careers.
For KIPP Atlanta Schools CEO Dr. Michael Cormack Jr., the investment is about more than funding programs.
“Delta Air Lines continues to demonstrate what it means to be a true community partner,” Cormack said. He said the investment will help students discover their passions, build meaningful career pathways and reach their full potential.
The grant will strengthen two KIPP Atlanta Schools initiatives: KIPP Forward and Best of KIPP. KIPP Forward supports students and alumni as they navigate college, careers and other postsecondary pathways through individualized college advising, career planning, internships, job-shadowing experiences, entrepreneurship opportunities and personalized support.
The program also continues after high school. KIPP Forward Persistence Advisors help alumni navigate academic, social and financial challenges they may encounter in college or while pursuing a career and KIPP Atlanta Schools supports alumni who either graduated from KIPP Atlanta Collegiate or completed eighth grade at a KIPP Atlanta middle school.
Best of KIPP provides academic, arts, leadership and enrichment experiences that celebrate student achievement while encouraging creativity, leadership, global awareness and personal growth.
The grant is the latest part of a partnership between Delta and KIPP Atlanta Schools that has lasted more than a decade. Delta has supported KIPP Atlanta Schools through philanthropy, employee volunteerism, career exploration and mentorship, including the Delta Summer Aviation Program and Night of Impact.
The investment also fits into Delta Air Lines and the Delta Air Lines Foundation’s broader support for education, which includes career readiness, aviation programs, STEM education and local school partnerships. Recent investments include $5 million for Georgia Tech’s aerospace engineering building and $16.5 million toward Clayton County schools and workforce initiatives.
“For Delta, giving back isn’t just a check. It’s showing up, year after year, for the communities we call home,” said Allison Marques, general manager of community engagement at Delta Air Lines. “Some of tomorrow’s pilots, engineers and leaders are sitting in these classrooms right now.”
The $35,000 grant will give KIPP Atlanta Schools additional support to expand the college, career and leadership opportunities available to its students as they prepare for what comes next.
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