MEET THE BELIEVE TEAM

Our Founder

Kimberly Neal is launching the first campus of BELIEVE SCHOOLS. 

A lifelong educator with over 15 years of experience in the field, Kimberly, is ready to promote change in the Indianapolis community. 

Kimberly recently left her role as the Managing Director of Secondary Education at KIPP DC. Her responsibilities included coaching and supporting middle school leaders, supporting network-wide curriculum initiatives, and implementing strong culture systems focused on a sense of belonging. 

She worked closely with Turnaround for Children to ensure all schools at KIPP DC redesigned their systems to improve the student experience. Additionally, Kimberly developed network policies and procedures, supported special education, and oversaw the professional development track for upcoming school leaders. Kimberly also served as a turnaround school leader for a year at AIM Academy, KIPP DC.  There, she was instrumental in stabilizing the school and creating a culture of identity and academic achievement. The middle school grew 10 points on DC’s Public Charter Performance Metrics, almost reaching Tier 1 (highest distinction) status in one year of a turnaround.

Before KIPP DC, Kimberly was the founding principal for Muchin College Prep, a campus of Noble Network. Muchin has consistently ranked as a Tier 1+ High School and since its inception has ranked among the highest performing non-selective schools in Chicago. In 2018, Muchin outperformed all of Chicago Public Schools in the school quality framework. 

Kimberly is a seasoned school leader, social worker, leadership coach, and has consistently led significant academic performance in her schools while developing students from a whole-child approach.   

Kimberly earned her B.A. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, an M.S.W. from Washington University, St. Louis, and an M.Ed. from Teachers College-Columbia University. 

Kimberly believes in lifelong learning, and wants to instill that desire in all of her students.