Signature Event

Standing Ovation

For more than ten years, Standing Ovation has honored the achievements of DCPS’ top teachers, leaders, and school communities.

15+yrs

Celebrating the city’s best educators.

200+

Honorees since inception.

$2M+

Raised since 2010.

A round of applause for 2024.

Congratulations to the exceptional educators, school staff, school leaders, central services leaders, and schools who earned the spotlight as recipients of the 2024 Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools Awards! Their dedication and innovation have made a lasting impact on education across DC Public Schools. As we celebrate these inspiring individuals and schools, we invite you to view past awardees and revisit the remarkable moments from previous ceremonies. Your support makes these events truly special.

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Giving educators the recognition they deserve.

Since 2010, Standing Ovation has brought together thousands of DC’s business leaders, philanthropic champions, education partners, and civic leaders to honor the achievements of DCPS’ top teachers, leaders, and school communities. This star-studded awards ceremony plays a critical role in elevating the teaching profession and celebrating proven solutions for urban education.

Celebrating excellence in education.

Recognized for their unwavering dedication and commitment, 2024 awardees demonstrated excellence in fostering a positive learning environment, inspiring students, and implementing innovative teaching methods, thereby making significant strides in the realm of education within the DC Public Schools

The Nomination Process

Highlighting top performers.

Although Standing Ovation is designed to honor all DCPS educators, we take time each year to present awards and cash prizes to the top performers across five categories: Teachers, School Staff, School Leaders, Schools, and Central Office Employees.

We source recommendations from the DCPS community, including parents, students, and fellow educators.

We contact nominees to share more information, including a brief online application.

Our selection panels review applications, narrow down finalists, conduct school visits, and interview candidates.

We make surprise visits across the district to announce winners.

We celebrate the winners at Standing Ovation!

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Dean

Pepco, An Exelon Company

Valedictorian

Citybridge Foundation

Flamboyan Foundation

Mark & Sally Ein Foundation

Salutatorian

Amazon

Sodexo

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation

Higher Honors

Amalie Reichblum

Washington Gas

Honors

American University

Amplify

Arnold & Porter

Ben and Lori Soto

Give Better Group

Kevin Downey and Michele Jolin

MedStar Health

One Table Strategies

Thomas and Denise Penny

Tom and Ann Friedman

We’re rethinking public education.

Our Work is Ensuring DCPS Students are Future-Ready