D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday celebrated the beginning of the 2019-20 school year at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the fully modernized Maury Elementary School in Ward 6.
“Every new school year is exciting because each school year brings new opportunities to make each day count,” Bowser said. “This year, we are proud and excited to once again be welcoming students and families across D.C. back to new and modernized buildings, but we are also proud of the new programs we are rolling out. From our early college academies to our ‘Connected Schools,’ we are finding and funding new ways to support our families and set our young people up for success, both inside and outside the classroom.”
Maury’s $59 million modernization includes new classrooms that will serve up to 540 students, a state-of-the art media center and maker space, indoor and outdoor play and community spaces, and a green roof that supports the District’s sustainability goals.
Later in the day, Bowser visited students at the new Bard High School Early College DC and celebrated the modernization of Kimball Elementary School.
Kimball’s $55 million modernization supports the school’s STEM focus with a FoodPrints food prep lab, science workshop, and maker space.
Kimball students will also have access to an outdoor classroom and two rooftop terraces for outdoor learning opportunities. Both schools have various art installations, including many by D.C. residents.
Slow Down
Mayor Bowser has been leading a “Slow Down Campaign” at Lincoln Park, where she was joined by residents and administration officials in reminding motorists to slow down and use caution while school is in session.
Great Expectations
This school year, Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, DCPS’ first all-boys school, will graduate their first senior class, and Excel Academy — DCPS’ first all-girls school — will begin its second year.
Connected Schools
Ten DCPS schools in Wards 1, 6, 7, and 8 will launch the “Connected Schools” Model this school year, taking the District’s current community schools’ model to the next level.
Connected Schools will dramatically shift the way schools partner with District agencies and communities to integrate academics, social services, and student and family engagement.
PARCC Scores
Mayor Bowser recently joined State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang at Whittier Education Campus in northwest where they released the 2018–19 results of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing for traditional public and public charter schools in the District of Columbia.
Overall, the percentage of District students on track for the next grade level and to leave high school prepared for college and careers, increased over last year, marking the fourth consecutive year of statewide testing gains.
The District’s scores have now increased for four consecutive years and are up 12 points in ELA and 8.5 points in math over 2015 levels.
The District’s PARCC score averages in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics increased 3.8 points and 1.1 points, respectively, over 2018 levels.