WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 31, 2011. Pre-kindergarten children attend classes at LEAP Academy Early Childhood School (PreK3 Ã Kindergarten) at KIPP DC. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) DC is a network of high-performing, public charter schools in Washington D.C., which mostly serves the cityÃ?s under-resourced communities. Dozens of D.C. charters are offering preschool and prekindergarten, a rapidly growing trend that marks a distinct shift in the focus of the charter-school movement. The growth arises from the idea that students who start school early will make bigger achievement gains. (Photo by ASTRID RIECKEN For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
