Years in the Making: Celebrating KIPP Catto’s First 4th-Grade Class

By Dr. Letisha Laws, Deputy Chief of School-Based Initiatives at Elevate 215

On June 12, 2026, I had the privilege of joining the KIPP Catto community for a milestone four years in the making: the school’s very first 4th Grade Move-Up Ceremony.

Founded in 2022, KIPP Catto welcomed its founding students just four years ago. This year, those founding students became the school’s first 4th-grade class, and on June 12th, 80 students walked across the stage to receive their move-up certificates, surrounded by proud families, friends, teachers, and community members.

The cafeteria was packed, the cheers were loud, and the excitement was contagious. Rightfully so. These students have a lot to celebrate.

In December 2021, Elevate 215 made a $1.1 million investment to support the launch of KIPP Catto because we believed Philadelphia students deserved access to more high-quality learning environments designed to help them thrive. Friday served as a powerful reminder of why that work matters.

The ceremony celebrated how far these students have come. Their academic achievements reflect how much they have accomplished. Last year, KIPP Catto’s founding class took the PSSA for the first time as 3rd graders and led the KIPP Philadelphia network in math proficiency, with 30% of students scoring proficient. They also led the region in ELA proficiency.

These outcomes are the product of the intentional work happening every day inside the building. At KIPP Catto, learning is both engaging and rigorous. Students are challenged academically while also being encouraged to explore, create, collaborate, and discover who they are. Teachers invest significant time planning, analyzing data, and refining instruction to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

As I shared with students during the ceremony: