May 2017 DC Public Charter School News

Earlier this month, we published our annual report that examines the commutes of public charter school students. The report includes maps for every public charter school that show the location of each student’s residence. In the 2016-2017 school year, public charter school students live in all of DC’s eight wards and travel to 118 public charter schools located in all four quadrants. Some students choose to travel to a public charter school across town, while some choose a school in their neighborhood. On average, public charter school students travel 2.1 miles to attend school, a distance that has remained constant for three years. Read the report here.

Public charter schools offer families the opportunity to choose a unique education that is the right fit for their students. Soon families and students will have more quality options available to them. The Board approved three applications for new public charter schools for the 2018-2019 school year. These schools will initially create 205 new middle school seats and 120 adult school seats. Learn more about the schools here.

Photo Credit: Capital City PCS

At Capital City, I completed several expeditions that required extensive focus and rigorous work. These semester-long projects included many personal reflections which helped me improve and grow. They also taught me strong presentation and writing skills which prepared me for my senior expedition this year where I chose to study neuromarketing. Now, I know how to write a 10-page paper and present my ideas in front of an audience. Next year, my plan is to study Anthropology and Social Work in college. However, because of my senior expedition, I am now also considering Neuroscience. - Janet Arevalo, Senior at Capital City PCS

Janet will graduate on June 14 from Capital City PCS. Find a complete list of all public charter high school graduations here. 

Ingenuity Prep PCS held its second annual college visits field trip for kindergarten through 3rd grade students, with 240 student participants across grade levels. Ingenuity Prep is seeking to create an affinity for postsecondary education at an early age by providing exposure to the city's colleges and universities that are inclusive to first-generation, economically disadvantaged, and underrepresented populations. The primary goals of the college visits are to increase early college awareness for their young students, foster parent involvement, and build relationships with local college partners.

“The visit was really awesome,” said Lindsay Black, 3rd grade teacher, when describing her classroom’s visit to Georgetown University. “The greatest thing, though, about the field trip wasn’t the tour around the beautiful campus or playing in the Hoya’s gym. It was walking back to the bus that afternoon and listening to our kids talk about college in a very attainable and enthusiastic way. They were debating which universities were their favorites and sharing which college they want to attend when they’re ‘grown up’. It was totally inspiring.”  

*Meeting location is subject to change. 

Graduation Ceremonies
Graduation season is here! Find a list of all high and adult education public charter school graduation ceremonies here.

Last Day of School
It's almost time for summer vacation! Find a list of each school's last day of school here.