STOCKTON, Calif. — Stanislaus State, in partnership with KIPP Northern California, signed a new agreement to establish a KIPP Stockton public charter high school at the Stanislaus State Stockton Campus, strengthening educational opportunities and building pathways to higher education for students in San Joaquin County.
The agreement was formalized on Wednesday, March 12, during a special signing ceremony at the Stockton Campus, marking a milestone in the collaboration between Stanislaus State and KIPP. The event brought together education and community leaders and elected officials who celebrated the shared mission of expanding access to quality education.
“At KIPP, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent public schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose — college, career and beyond so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world,” KIPP Northern California CEO Beth Thompson said. “Stan State is a hub of learning and career growth in the Central Valley, and we are proud to open our Stockton high school on your campus this August.”
Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the University’s role as an anchor institution committed to student success and educational equity.
“KIPP is a leader in education, expanding access to high-quality public schools that change lives. What they are doing is an investment in students’ futures, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to students,” Rios-Ellis said. “It is truly an honor to strengthen this partnership with KIPP and to work alongside our dedicated educators and community leaders who share a commitment to access, inclusion and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
“KIPP schools have helped thousands of students across the state pursue their college dreams, and we are thrilled to expand that impact right here in Stockton. This partnership sends a clear message: Higher education should be within reach for every student, and by working together, we are making that a reality. The collaboration between Stanislaus State and KIPP builds on an existing partnership aimed at fostering college readiness and academic excellence.”
For students like Jalicia Mondy, an eighth grader at KIPP University Park Middle School, the partnership is already shaping her future. She described herself as a “proud Stocktonian and a great big sister to six siblings,” including her younger sister Mia, a third grader at KIPP.
Jalicia, who attended the signing ceremony with her mother Jamila Walker, said she is determined to set an example — both at home and in her community —as she prepares to join KIPP Stockton High School’s founding freshman class.
“It’s exciting to be a part of the founding class of the KIPP Stockton High School,” she said. “In the same way I want to be a role model for my younger sister, I am also excited for my classmates and me to be role models for future KIPP Stockton High School students.
“I’m especially into science, because after I graduate high school, I want to go to college and become a pediatrician,” Mondy said. “I feel like I’m getting a head start by attending high school on a college campus.”
In 2022, KIPP students and families first stepped onto the Stockton Campus, gaining exposure to a University environment through activities and events. The new high school will take this engagement further, ensuring that students don’t just imagine college — they will experience it firsthand. KIPP Stockton High School is set to open in August 2025, initially serving 9th-grade students and growing over the next four years to include grades 9-12.
By housing KIPP Stockton High School at the Stockton Campus, Stanislaus State and KIPP Northern California are reinforcing the message that higher education is attainable and accessible for all students, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities.
KIPP Northern California currently operates multiple schools in Stockton, serving students from transitional kindergarten (TK) through 8th grade.
The Stockton Campus itself is expanding to better serve the region, with a new $54 million academic building set to open in fall 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will provide enhanced classrooms, student services and workforce development resources, further strengthening Stanislaus State’s role as a hub for higher education in San Joaquin County.
This collaboration with KIPP aligns with Stanislaus State’s strategic priorities to support first-generation scholars and foster educational access, especially to place-bound students.
Stanislaus State, part of the 23-campus California State University (CSU) system, serves more than 9,000 students at its Turlock and Stockton campuses. Recognized for its commitment to student success, affordability and social mobility, the University has earned national rankings for its high-impact educational practices and dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. As the only public four-year institution in San Joaquin County, the Stockton Campus continues to grow, offering expanded programs, student services and workforce connections.
KIPP Northern California operates 22 high-performing public charter schools, serving nearly 7,000 students across the Bay Area and Stockton. KIPP schools are tuition-free, open to all students and dedicated to preparing scholars for success in college, career and beyond. Through its college-preparatory approach, KIPP empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in higher education, pursue fulfilling lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
“We are building a stronger, brighter future, right here, right now,” Rios-Ellis said. “Stanislaus State is a place where students see what is possible, where they feel valued and where success is something they can truly achieve. With KIPP students now learning on this campus, even more students will experience what it’s like to belong in higher education. What’s happening here today is a direct investment in the future.”
