Congratulations to the Capital City PCS Class of 2025! They celebrated their college applications with their annual March to the Mailbox: I Hit Submit! event. We had the pleasure of attending, and the pride the school has for their students was inspiring.
The senior class at Capital City PCS were greeted by cheers and screams from fellow students, parents, faculty and staff on Oct. 30 as they marched the school hallways bursting with pride after hitting submit on their college applications.
“I’m excited and nervous about the same thing-meeting new people at college,” said senior Victor T. He plans to study computer science at the University of Maryland.
Victor and his fellow seniors have all applied to at least one college. Capital City PCS has a 100 percent college application participation rate. Interim Principal Kendra Macko says they begin preparing the students during the summer. Once the school year begins the seniors take a Senior Seminar class where they learn about the college application process, financial aid, and perfecting their personal essays. “The work that the students have been putting in for the last 13 years of their life, going back to PK is coming to fruition,” said Macko. “They’re able to now follow through with whatever their hearts desire and go out and be successful human beings.”
Anthony V. is one of those students. He has attended Capital City since PK. Applying to college marks the beginning of a long-held dream. “For the last 13 years, I’ve been seeing the seniors walk down these aisles, wishing and thinking, one day that's going to be me.” Anthony plans to become an architect, and he’s ready to embrace this new chapter, describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience.
Parents like Paulette Black and Edith Ordonez reflect on the community and support their children have received at Capital City PCS. Paulette, whose daughter Nicole is a senior, shares how valuable the counseling team has been throughout the process. “The counseling office has been wonderful. They had a tour for some schools that we didn't get to this summer.” For Edith, the school has provided a sense of safety and assurance for her daughter Bianca. “I love how they take care of our kids here; I just want to say thank you very much for all the support.” Patricia Hernandez, mother of Giovanni, a first-generation college applicant, has watched her son persevere through the pandemic years, overcoming unique challenges. “Starting high school during COVID was very hard. I’m excited for him to finish this chapter of his life.” She encourages other parents to work closely with school counselors during the college application process.
Simone J., another senior, encourages younger students to get a jump start and keep their grades up. “I'd recommend starting your applications early and making sure you keep your grades up during the year.” Simone is hoping to attend college out of state.
Tiffany Solis, College Counselor and Alumni Affairs Manager, says students are applying to colleges near and far. During the program, students received congratulatory and inspirational messages from Capital City alumni. “We had our first graduating class in 2012. Hearing from alumni gives the students the hope and the inspiration to move on and continue to pursue their dreams and education.”
Dr. Mitchell, Interim State Superintendent of the OSSE spoke to the students and shared the importance of higher education and its impact on her family. “The education that my parents received changed the entire trajectory of my family. As you embark on your college journey, you will also see this transformative power.”
Some students have already received their acceptance notices. A representative from Trinity Washington University attended the event and shared that Capital City students have received nearly $400,000 in scholarships. Seniors, parents, and faculty are excited about the future.
Congratulations to the Capital City PCS Class of 2025, the best is yet to come.
On Friday, Nov. 15, OSSE is encouraging all DC Public Charter High Schools to participate in Why Apply DC Day, a national partnership with the American College Application Campaign. Schools will host events and participate in a digital campaign. Get details here and be sure to use the hashtag #WhyApplyDC in your social media posts.
