KIPP Delta Schools Earn Statewide Honors for Academic Growth
A major achievement is being celebrated by KIPP Delta Public Schools, as three of its campuses have been recognized by the Office for Education Policy (OEP) at the University of Arkansas for “Beating the Odds,” an award honoring schools where students demonstrate exceptional academic growth on the ATLAS assessment.
The honors include multiple statewide and regional distinctions for math, literacy, and overall growth:
KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory earned recognition for High Math Growth statewide and High Overall Growth and High Math Growth in the Northeast Region.
KIPP Delta College Prep School received awards for High Overall Growth and High Math Growth statewide, as well as High Overall Growth, High Math Growth, and High ELA Growth in the Southeast Region.
KIPP Delta Collegiate High School was honored for High Math Growth in the Southeast Region.
Executive Director of KIPP Delta Public Schools Kevin Smith said the recognition affirms the school’s mission to maintain high expectations for students in the Delta.
“Our mission is to show that Delta kids can learn and can be whatever they want to be,” Smith said. “Too often, expectations are lowered for children here. We’ve proven that kids can succeed when you set the bar high and provide strong teaching and support.”
School Director Erika Hubbard credited the achievement to teamwork and data-driven instruction.
“This growth didn’t happen by accident,” Hubbard said. “Teachers analyzed data, adjusted instruction, and never gave up on kids. We’ve built a culture where students know we believe in them—and they rise to meet those expectations.”
Hubbard also praised Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) Literacy Specialist Stefanie Smithey for helping her grow as a leader.
“I tell ‘Smithey’ all the time, she’s like my fairy godmother of education,” Hubbard said. “When I first came over, I had to be vulnerable enough to admit what I didn’t know. She walked the building with me, showed me what to look for, and helped me understand what the science or reading looked like at the elementary level. Now I feel confident because of that support.”
APSRC provided training and connections that strengthened leadership skills.
“APSRC has been truly impactful. Whether it’s Charter Leadership Institutes or specialized trainings, they’ve given me tools and relationships that help me lead effectively. Everyone I’ve worked with wants to see our school and students succeed.”
APSRC Literacy Specialist Stefanie Smithey shared a story that captures that culture. After a student heard about the B letter grade, he celebrated with Smithey, saying:
“We got a B! We got a B! How do we get an A?”
Smithey said the moment reflected the mindset KIPP strives to instill.
“He saw himself and his teacher as a team—and believed an A was possible.”
Founded in 2002 with its first middle school in Helena-West Helena, KIPP Delta now serves more than 1,200 students across multiple campuses. The network operates as an open-enrollment public charter school, drawing students from across district boundaries and offering families a choice in education. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the Charter Authorizing Panel approved amendment requests allowing the organization to change the name of the charter holder and all affiliated schools to reflect its new legal name, Delta Preparatory Schools, operate independently, and disaffiliate from KIPP Foundation as its Charter Management Organization.
The OEP awards highlight schools that achieve strong academic growth regardless of demographic. As for the future, KIPP Delta remains committed to powering forward and using the OEP results to build upon.
“We need to learn from our own experience—what worked and what didn’t—and increase what worked. That’s how we keep moving forward,” said Smith.
Congratulations, KIPP Public Schools!