Behind every thriving school is a team of unsung heroes who keep things running smoothly.
At KIPP Comienza Community Prep Lower School, one of those heroes is Ana Rosales, who was recently named one of six national recipients of the KIPP Public Schools’ Heart & SOL Award.
This prestigious honor is awarded annually to School Operations Leaders (SOLs) across the KIPP network who exemplify excellence, care, and unwavering commitment. These behind-the-scenes champions are the soul of their schools, ensuring that students can learn and teachers can teach without missing a beat.
Ana has served as the Business Operations Manager at KIPP Comienza Lower School for five years and is also a proud KIPP Comienza parent. Her deep connection to the community and extraordinary leadership have had a measurable and lasting impact:
- KIPP Comienza Lower School has been fully enrolled since 2020.
- Student retention remains high at 95%, reflecting a culture where students and families want to stay.
- Chronic absenteeism has dropped by 23 percentage points over the past two years.
- Staff satisfaction with operations has increased by 19 percentage points from previous years.
KIPP Comienza Lower School Leader Ms. Valencia, who nominated Ana for the award, shared:
"Ana is the heartbeat of our school community. She possesses a rare blend of strategic brilliance, relentless dedication, and deep compassion that elevates every aspect of our work. Ana's unwavering commitment to creating a thriving, joyful, and well-run learning environment has made a transformative impact on both our students and educators. Her leadership doesn't just support our mission—it propels it forward. The ripple effect of her contributions is felt daily in the lives of our children, the confidence of our families, and the effectiveness of our teachers."
Please join us in celebrating Ana Rosales for all she does to make KIPP Comienza operationally strong and a place where students, families, and staff can truly thrive. She is the heart and SOL of our school, and we couldn’t be prouder.