“A number of “inner-city” schools that receive Title 1 federal funds have improved their decathlon performance with the help on an enrichment program called High Intellectual Preparedness Program or HIPP. (The program got its name when a former student wrote the director a letter stating, “Thanks for making it hip to be smart.”)
Program Director William Cathers said, “The key to success is always the leadership of the individual teachers at each school, but HIPP has become successful at augmenting their efforts by creating an environment of positive peer pressure. Our workshops are very intense, but the students grow acclimated to the pressure and high expectations. Consequently, they are not overwhelmed on the day of the competition.”
Many supporters make the program possible. The Los Angeles Philharmonic provides concert tickets for HIPP schools; California Pizza Kitchen, Koo Koo Roo, and McCormick & Schmick’s restaurants provide food, Hotel Inter-Continental and the Hyatt Regency Los Angeles donate rooms and study space, and the Metropolitan Water District provides food and the use of their beautiful cafeteria for weekend study sessions. USC provides funds for USC MaST High School and Foshay Learning Center to insure that each school has the resources necessary to compete at the highest level, and many individuals contribute to keep the program growing.”
