For KIPP wonks only

This is only for those who really like to wallow in KIPP minutiae: I e-mailed these questions to KIPP PR spokesperson Steve Mancini. He sent me a friendly response saying he's on the road but would like to meet for lunch when he gets back. I thought I'd share the questions (which I would HOPE someone has asked before, given all the coverage of KIPP schools).

1. I know that incoming KIPP students at grades above 5 are tested to determine their grade level. I am not clear whether students incoming from 4th grade, applying to 5th grade, are also given that testing. Are applicants for 5th grade tested to determine their grade level? If they test below 5th grade, are they still admitted? (If not, I may have follow-up questions.)
   
   
2. I know that students who have completed 5th grade at other schools and are applying for 6th grade ARE tested to determine their grade level. What percentage overall are determined to be at 5th-grade level and told that they will need to repeat 5th grade (this time at KIPP) to be admitted? What percentage are determined to be at 6th-grade level and admitted to grade 6? (I'm assuming there may be some in other categories; see question 3, or they might test ahead of grade.)
   
   
3. If applicants in that category (completed 5th grade at other school, applying to KIPP for 6th) test BELOW 5th-grade level, are they still accepted to 5th grade at KIPP?
   
   
4. Of applicants in that category (completed 5th grade at other school, applying to KIPP for 6th) who are told they will need to repeat grade 5, this time at KIPP, how many of them then enroll at KIPP?
   
   
5. Of applicants in that category (completed 5th grade at other school, applying to KIPP for 6th) who test at 6th-grade level and do not have to repeat a grade, how many then enroll at KIPP?
   
   
6. What percentage of KIPP students who have completed grades 5, 6 or 7 at KIPP are told they need to repeat a grade (disaggregating for each grade)? Do you have information on how that compares to averages at traditional public schools?
   
   
7. What percentage of KIPP students who have completed grade 8 at KIPP are told they need to repeat grade 8 to graduate? Do you have information on how that compares to averages at traditional public middle schools?
   
   
8. I have often read a claim that a high percentage (though the number given varies) of KIPP students go on to college.
   
   Here's the first hit on Google News as of right now, for example: "According to Feinberg, 90 percent of KIPP's middle school students go to college..."
   
   As you are aware, KIPP runs middle schools, so only students who finished 8th grade in 2003 or earlier would be at college age now (high school graduating class of 2007). KIPP has run only a small number of schools for that long — Jay Mathews of the Washington Post told me the number is two. So I know we're talking about quite a small number of students. However, my question is: Does KIPP have an official mechanism/process for tracking those students? What is it and how does it work? Has KIPP succeeded in following 100% of its alumni who finished Grade 8 in 2003 or earlier, and if not, what percentage has it successfully tracked?
   
   
9. I frequently read, including on KIPP's website, that "all KIPP schools" have waiting lists. However, San Francisco's two KIPP schools do not have waiting lists, at least for grade 5, as is clear from multiple indicators. Do San Francisco's two KIPP schools have waiting lists for other grades? Since that information is incorrect about San Francisco's two KIPP schools, can you clarify what percentage of KIPP schools do have waiting lists for grade 5?
   
   
10. Why does KIPP start its schools at grade 5 when apparently most districts where it operates have K-5 feeder schools? Do many students leave the feeder schools after grade 4, or is that to allow a high number of students to repeat grade 5 in the KIPP school?

I will of course post whatever responses I get.