Special to The Dallas Examiner
Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, investor, and media proprietor donated $1 million to help launch a new pre-K program at KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth – which is part of a national KIPP network of college-preparatory public charter schools. The gift will make a significant and long-term impact on school readiness, academic achievement, and high school graduation rates.
The Hamon Charitable Foundation, a private Dallas-based foundation, also invested in the organization’s program and made a $1 million contribution to KIPP’s Rise Together Campaign to grow more schools and create more educational options in Dallas-Fort Worth.
“Dallas only grows economically when our youngest achieve educationally. I’m excited to support KIPP Texas-DFW,” Cuban said.
With support from Cuban and the Hamon Charitable Foundation, KIPP Texas-DFW will continue their mission of providing high quality education to underserved families in Southern Dallas, an area of Dallas that has been both educationally and economically overlooked for generations. Less than half of low-income children have access to high-quality early childhood programs that could dramatically improve their opportunities for a better future.
“We support KIPP to enhance educational opportunities in Southern Dallas and provide an environment favorable for future success in secondary education,” said Kelly Roach, Hamon Charitable Foundation President.
KIPP Texas-DFW has seven tuition-free schools educating more than 3,000 students from educationally underserved communities.
“We operate our schools in Dallas’ most high needs neighborhoods, so we are appreciative to Mark Cuban and the Hamon Charitable Foundation for helping us change the narrative in our Southern Dallas communities,” said Dr. Anthony Smith, KIPP Texas-Dallas-Fort Worth regional superintendent.
“We are incredibly grateful to Mark for helping us establish our pre-K program in Southern Dallas, because we know how vital it is for the long-term success of our students,” Smith said. “Research shows that students who attend KIPP Texas’ early education programs have dramatically improved outcomes in kindergarten and continue to excel in life beyond the classroom, contrary to students who do not have access to early childhood education.”