Charter School Event: Meridian's Grand Opening Ceremony

Meridian Public Charter School recently celebrated their new school building with a grand opening ceremony. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton served as the Keynote speaker and Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmember Jim Graham also gave remarks.

Charter schools struggle for many years to find suitable space for their academic programs, sometimes moving every few years. Meridian, which used to be located in the 1300 block of Florida Ave NW, renovated the 1890s era former DCPS Harrison School building at 13th and V Streets, NW in the U Street area of the city.

“Our school’s journey into the Harrison School building began so long ago. The culminating activity behind all of that work is this grand opening,” said Meridian principal, Robinette Breedlove.

Throughout the event, Meridian students serenaded the guests, which included parents and community members. The ceremony ended with a ribbon cutting in front of the building by Congresswoman Norton. Mayor Gray the school’s principals and Board members.

Meridian Board chair Chris Siddall noted that to have a historic building preserved and renovated as a school was a plus for students and also the surrounding community.

“Today has been important for Meridian and the charter school movement to bring together so many of our leading politicians here in Washington and bring together historic preservation and educational innovation all in one place here on U Street,” Siddall said.