PCSB Renews the Charters of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom and Cesar Chávez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy

Contact: Audrey Williams  202-328-2748
[email protected]

Washington, D.C. — The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) voted January 10 to renew the charters of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School (“EW Stokes PCS”) and Cesar Chávez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy (“Chávez PCS”) for an additional 15 years.  PCSB conducted a thorough review of the renewal petitions submitted by each school and found that EW Stokes PCS and Chávez PCS had met the expectations set forth in their charters for academic performance, as well as goals that are specific to its individual school mission. The schools were also found to be broadly compliant with all applicable laws and found to be in good fiscal health.

Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS

Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS teaches 350 students from grades PK3 – 6 to think, speak, read and write and learn in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. The school is located in Ward 5. PCSB staff found that EW Stokes PCS substantially met the goals and student academic achievement expectations that EW Stokes PCS set forth in its charter.  In particular, EW Stokes PCS demonstrated measurable student achievements, including meeting targets for student achievement in science, math, and reading. EW Stokes PCS performed strongly on many of its mission-specific goals, including promoting students’ physical health, creating a diverse and culturally respectful school community and instilling a sense of community service in students. EW Stokes PCS was found to be substantially in compliance with general, special education, and financial laws. Additionally, the school demonstrated sound fiscal management and economic viability. To review the final renewal report click here.

Cesar Chávez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy

Chávez PCS has four campuses in three facilities – Chávez Prep in Ward 1, Capitol Hill in Ward 6, and Parkside Middle and High Schools in Ward 7.  All total, Chávez PCS serves more than 1,300 students in grades 6 - 12.  PCSB staff found that Chávez PCS substantially met the goals and student academic achievement expectations set forth in its charter. In its charter, the school identified four elements of student achievement that flow directly from its mission: (1) promoting academic excellence; (2) fostering citizenship; (3) providing direct experience with public interest organizations; and (4) preparing students for college. In its first 15 years of operation, Chávez PCS met the goals relating to fostering citizenship and providing its students experience with public interest organizations. Over the course of fifteen years, Chávez PCS has been substantially compliant with general, special education, and financial laws.  The school has adhered to generally accepted accounting principles, practiced sound fiscal management, and is economically viable. To review the final renewal report click here.

 
About PCSB: The DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) is setting a national model for creating quality public school options through its rigorous review of new charter applications and effective oversight of charter school performance that is leading the transformation of public education in Washington, DC. PCSB currently oversees 57 public charter schools on 102 campuses serving 35,019 students living in every ward of the city. Learn more at www.dcpcsb.org.