Kipp South Fulton Academy Inc

What it reported doing in 2012

See full description on sch o.kipp south fulton academy (ksfa), a public charter school authorized by fulton county schools, opened its doors to 75 fifth graders in july 2003. Ksfa has grown by one grade level per year and reached full growth in july 2006, with approximately 320 students in grades five through eight. The mission of ksfa is to strengthen the knowledge, skills, character, and physical fitness of students in south fulton county, thereby creating opportunities for success in top-notch high schools, colleges, and the competitive world beyond the classroom. Using the nationally-proven kipp model as a foundation for the school program, ksfa serves college-bound students from throughout the fulton county schools with a specific focus on east Washington and the communities that comprise south fulton county. The school is located in the historic east point elementary school. Ksfa is realizing its mission through a number of organizational and academic innovations that have enabled kipp schools nationwide to close the achievement gap. Through rigorous curriculum, implementation of instructional best practices, and intensive support for each student, ksfa has provided the students and families of south fulton county with a college-preparatory program that supports each student, regardless of skills and experience upon enrollment, as they go to and through college. Academic innovations that have enabled ksfa to meet its rigorous goals over the prior charter term are built on the kipp five pillars, which characterize all kipp schools nation-wide: (1) high expectations, (2) choice & commitment, (3) more time, (4) power to lead, and (5) focus on results. In addition to the five pillars, ksfa's school-specific values shape the school's culture and environment by stoking the fire within each ksfa student and staff member. The expectation is not only that ksfa students will internalize the four core values, but that all stakeholders (including parents, teachers, staff, board and community members) will keep their fires burning as well. The fire is integrated throughout the code of conduct, character education, school-wide celebrations, parent workshops, and community service that are a regular part of the ksfa program. - family and friendship: treating all persons with kindness and respect - integrity: doing the right thing no matter where a student may be or who is watching him/her - responsibility: following through on all of tasks and commitments - excellence: giving 100% effort in everything that students do

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: Limited
• Program expense ratio: Limited
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 16.9%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.06; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.1%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 11.2% per year; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -12.6% per year; rating input score 0; 8th percentile among comparable filings