KIPA: The Inner Workings

Knowledge is Power Academy is the titular learning facility and central setting of the story. It is located in Evans, Georgia and began accepting students at the start of the 2013 school year. The academy's main attraction is that it doesn't use a grading scale or test to determine if students pass but rather turn-based matches where students face off against each other using special machines and traverse a ranking system. KIPA accepts rising 6th graders to rising high school seniors (the average age range is usually from 11 to 17). A student's transcript and record must be sent and reviewed before granting acceptance. Students who attend KIPA get a chance to omit grade levels, earn college credit, and/or scholarships.

 Matches and Ranks:

Students utilize special machines that can convert chemical energy into electricity by correctly answering knowledge-based questions. The students’ goal during matches is to transfer electricity up to a certain amount to these large rechargeable batteries. Whoever fills up the battery first wins the match. The batteries are later used to provide power throughout the academy. Every three wins will result in a rank-up. There are seven total ranks organized in the colors of the rainbow, and the cooler the color, the closer one is to graduating. The ranks are Red Rookies, Orange Beginners, Yellow Learners, Green Intermediates, Blue Experts, Indigo Scholars, and Violet Graduates. Students will receive and must wear the ribbon corresponding with their current rank. Matches between rank-ups are called Progression Matches and when a student wins these, they earn little golden star pins. Of course, questions and strategies get more challenging the further one ranks up, so students must think critically about their approach. Students can sign up for matches at any time Monday through Friday, permitted there are spaces left on the sign-up sheet. To show they have mastered the machine, the last opponent students will face is Principal Prof. Natlich.

 Match Rules and Conduct:

Students get to choose which subject to load questions about on the machine. No subject has an advantage or disadvantage over another, so students are encouraged to pick their favorite. It is critical to limit the number of incorrect answers; incorrect answers do not generate energy and give the opponent an advantage. If a student misses a question, the question will be asked to the opponent for a chance to earn more energy if answered correctly and vice versa. If a student loses a match, it will not affect their rank, but violations of the Academy Code of Conduct will.

Fighting, vulgar language, and other infractions will demote a student down one or several ranks depending on the severity, especially if done on the arena floor. KIPA has a strict no-cheating policy. Students caught cheating during a match run the risk of being expelled from the academy and losing all benefits that come with graduating. Students are expected to display good sportsmanship and must begin and end a match by appropriately shaking the opponent’s hand. During matches, students are allowed to show emotions like frustration or elation, but taunting, sore winning, and sore losing are not tolerated. Those caught displaying poor behavior will be temporarily restricted from competing or required to rematch. Any strong feelings about a match must be discussed or displayed outside the arena floor.

 Study Habits and Instruction:

Students can either register for classes and lectures about subjects they are interested in or study by themselves using academic resources like the library, math labs, computer labs, tutors, each other, etc. Students who attend classes or lectures will be assigned homework and projects that can be graded, but they are optional. Graded assignments are for students to gauge how well they understand the material or where they may need improvements. However a student chooses to study, the goal is to prepare for matches.

 Extra Details

KIPA gives students a choice of commuting or living on campus. The academy is entirely self-paced and students can take as long as they need to graduate. If a student doesn't graduate within the school year, they will pick back up where they left off after summer break. Should a student find they are having a difficult time and do not wish to continue studying at KIPA, dropping out is a viable option (unfortunately, not for Khalil). However, students who drop out will lose the benefits like scholarships that come with graduating from the academy. KIPA's cafeteria serves students meals corresponding to the time of day, like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Students can also purchase various items called Assists that can aid them in matches at a shop in the cafeteria. Assists are bought through points earned after matches (win or lose) and from completing assignments. Students can trade Assists with each other, but real money should never be involved. Students can also choose to have public matches where anyone interested can sit in and spectate, or private matches where no one or a select few can watch.