Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Students Making Gains in DC Public Charter Schools

In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the DC Public Charter School Board released its first comprehensive report on Hispanic students attending public charter schools in the nation’s capital. 

Nationwide, 65%[1] of Hispanic students graduate high school within four years.  In Washington, DC, the four-year graduation rate of Hispanic public charter school students is 75%, while the District’s citywide graduation rate for all Hispanic and non-Hispanic public school students is 71%. 

Washington, DC is home to a thriving Hispanic community, making up 9% of the city’s entire population and 32% of its public school students.  Almost 6,000 Hispanic students attend public charter schools in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 as well as adult programs in DC.  They comprise 16% of the total DC public charter student population.   

DC public charter schools are focused on providing quality education.   The report found that the majority of Hispanic students attend 18 public charter schools with 13 of them rated highest or next-to-highest in quality.  Moreover, these schools offer programs like language immersion, expeditionary learning, GED, computer certification, and more.       

In addition, these schools serve the Hispanic community beyond just education.  For example, several of these schools partner with organizations that also offer healthcare and social services to Hispanic families.

Last month two public charter schools – Carlos Rosario International PCS and Briya PCS – were recognized as “Bright Spots” in Hispanic education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.  The White House Initiative cited the schools’ excellence in providing quality education for their students.  This White House Initiative was established in 1990 to address the educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community. 

Read the full report here. 

DC Hispanic public charter school students are graduating at higher rates than students nationwide.