KIPPster Heads to Law School

Leah Anderson is a KIPP SF San Francisco Bay Academy, KIPP San Francisco College Prep, and Howard University alum. She will be attending the University of Southern California this fall for law school.

I grew up in San Francisco, specifically in the Bayview neighborhood, and one thing about me has always stayed the same: I love to learn. Ever since I was a little girl, you could usually find me with a book in front of my face. Reading was exciting to me, because I loved discovering something new. As an adult, that same curiosity still drives me.

My mom recognized that love for learning early on. I started at a traditional district elementary school, but we quickly realized it was not the right environment for me. I was advanced in reading, but the curriculum was not challenging me in the way I needed. The solution offered to my family was for me to skip grades, but my mom wanted me in a more academically rigorous setting while still learning alongside students my own age. That decision eventually led me to a public charter school and eventually to KIPP.

Leah in her middle school yearbook

As I have gotten older, I have realized that access to an excellent public education is not guaranteed. I experienced that firsthand as a high-achieveing elementary student, and now I see it every day in my work as a special education teacher. Every student deserves to feel challenged, supported, and believed in, but that is not always how it plays out. Working in schools today has shown me how deeply laws and policy shape what students experience in the classroom. It has also shown me how many students, especially students with disabilities, are affected when schools do not have the resources they need.

That reality is a huge part of why I decided to pursue law school. I want to have a seat at the table in shaping the laws that directly affect students and schools. Education has always been important to me, but it’s become a personal journey now; I’m ready to advocate for students on a larger scale. Attending USC for my JD this fall is the next step toward that dream.

When I look back, I know I would not feel ready for this next chapter without the support system I gained at KIPP. I attended KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy for middle school and later KIPP San Francisco College Prep for high school. From the beginning, I felt challenged and seen in a different way. KIPP pushed me to think bigger about what was possible for my future.

I still remember my very first day of high school. My principal, Dr. Woodyard, greeted us and immediately urged us to research colleges we may want to attend. That moment changed something for me. I had always dreamed about attending Howard University, but that was the first time I really sat down and thought: “This can actually happen for me.” Suddenly, my goals felt real and achievable.

Leah (center) and the KIPP San Francisco College Prep volleyball team

KIPP was also a source of joy and community for me. We did daily mantras and affirmations, and I joined the volleyball team, eventually becoming captain. What made being an athlete at KIPP special was not just the athletic side of being on a team, but the collective sense of gratitude my teammates and I shared. We knew our coaches were teachers dedicating extra time to be with us. We never took that for granted, and we all worked with what we had. Even after all these years, that is what remains closest to my heart.

The adults at KIPP played such a meaningful role in my life. Ms. Hernandez, my KIPP Forward college counselor, guided me through every part of the college application process. I watched how much care she poured into supporting students and families, especially first-generation students trying to navigate college admissions for the first time. It was a lot of work, and she never hid that from me, but I knew I had her by my side the entire time.

Teachers like Mr. Siegel and Mr. Perez also left a lasting impact on me. Mr. Siegel encouraged my interest in government and civic engagement through AP Government and Model UN, experiences that helped shape my interest in law. Even years later, he still supported me by helping me prepare for job interviews after college. Mr. Perez became someone I could trust and learn from outside the classroom, joining me on a volunteer trip to Costa Rica that became one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

KIPP’s support did not end after graduation. When I got to Howard University, the transition was difficult. The first year was an adjustment being away from home and getting used to a completely new environment. I did not always know where to begin or how to set myself up for success on my own. While there were lonely moments during my freshman year, I knew I was not alone. KIPP Forward advisors’ job is to support alumni directly after high school, and connecting with them was incredibly helpful. There was always someone from KIPP I could talk to.

Looking back now, I realize KIPP gave me more than academic preparation. It gave me confidence, discipline, mentorship, and a belief in what I was capable of accomplishing. It taught me to stay focused on my goals even when life gets difficult. Every student deserves the academic and emotional support I got through my public school education at KIPP. That’s the philosophy driving me forward in law school and in life.