Notice of Charter Reviews - Multiple Schools: Digital Pioneers PCS, EW Stokes PCS, Friendship PCS, Ingenuity Prep PCS, Statesmen PCS

The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) announces an opportunity for the public to submit comments on the DC public charter schools listed below, which are up for a charter review on January 23, 2023. Pending DC PCSB staff’s analysis, the Board may elect to do one of the following for schools up for review: 1) continue the school’s charter without conditions, 2) conditionally continue the school’s charter by imposing annual or interim targets or requirements it must meet, or 3) commence charter revocation proceedings. 

1. Digital Pioneers Academy Public Charter School (Digital Pioneers PCS)

Digital Pioneers PCS is up for its five-year charter review. The school operates two campuses in Wards 6 and 8, where it serves students in grades 6 – 10. Its mission is to “develop the next generation of innovators. We prepare students to meet or exceed the highest academic standards, while cultivating the strength of character necessary to both graduate from four-year colleges and thrive in 21st century careers.”

2. Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School (EW Stokes PCS)

EW Stokes PCS is up for its 25-year charter review. The school operates two campuses in Wards 5 and 7, where it serves students in grades pre-kindergarten 3 (PK3) – 5. Its mission is to “prepare culturally diverse elementary school students in the District of Columbia to become leaders, scholars and responsible citizens who are committed to social justice.”

3. Friendship Public Charter School (Friendship PCS)

Friendship PCS is up for its 25-year charter review. The school operates 15 campuses across 11 facilities in Wards 4, 5, 6, and 8. The school serves students in grades PK3 – 12. Its mission is to “provide a world-class education that motivates students to achieve high academic standards, enjoy learning, and develop as ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens who contribute actively to their communities.”

4. Ingenuity Prep Public Charter School (Ingenuity PCS)

Ingenuity PCS is up for its 10-year charter review. The school operates a single campus in Ward 8, where it serves students in grades PK3 – 8. Its mission is to provide a “supportive school community dedicated to academic rigor and civic leadership, preparing students for the path to the colleges and careers of their choosing."

5. Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys Public Charter School (Statesmen PCS)

Statesmen PCS is up for its five-year charter review. The school operates a single campus in Ward 8, where it serves students in grades 4 – 8. Its mission is to provide a “create a boy-friendly pedagogy-informed academic environment within which young men are equipped with the academic skills, social competencies, and personal development necessary to navigate life challenges, attend and complete the college of their choice, and return to become the premier agents of social change within and for the communities they serve.”

Pursuant to the School Reform Act, D.C. Code 38-1802 et seq., DC PCSB is required to review each DC public charter school’s performance at least once every five years.