Jess Simpson

About Jess Simpson

Jess Simpson serves as Senior Director of Academic Strategy for KIPP Colorado Schools, where she leads instructional systems work and leadership development with a focus on secondary schools. Committed to equity-centered schools where learning is joyful and ambitious, and where every student regardless of background graduates with the skills, knowledge, and support to pursue and persist through a path that\'s truly their own, Jess has spent 15+ years building the schools and systems that make that possible at scale. With roots in STEM education, Jess started in the classroom where she achieved the highest AP Biology scores in the KIPP network, before leading KIPP Denver Collegiate High School during a time of transformation and complex ecosystem change. As a principal, she led the school to a green state rating, an AP Honor Roll designation by College Board, a top 1% Jay Matthews Challenge Index ranking, and a 99% college acceptance rate — and is proud that >95% of students took at least one AP course before graduating, because access and opportunity shouldn\'t be reserved for select students. Today, she works at the intersection of instructional leadership, program design, and school systems, focused on building the adult conditions through leadership development and cohort design that allow school ecosystems to evolve so every student is set up to thrive.

Experience

1. Senior Director of Academic Strategy, High Schools

   KIPP Colorado Public Schools

   Jun 2025 — Present

   Leading academic strategy and leadership development across KIPP Colorado\'s high school network, serving 1,100+ students. Designs and facilitates ongoing leadership learning experiences — convenings, coaching cycles, and professional development series — translating assessment evidence into practical tools for principals, APs, and instructional coaches. Built and scaled a comprehensive high school assessment strategy, achieving growth in 100% of high-gain focus standards across priority student subgroups. Led integration of AI-powered tools into curriculum design and scaled implementation of high-quality instructional materials across all core content areas.

Education

• The College of Wooster

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  2006 — 2010

• Teachers College of Columbia University

  Master’s Degree

  2014 — 2015