Initiatives

Advancing education in the nation’s capital.

Explore our innovative investments that transform the learning experience in DC Public Schools.

Showing 5 Initiatives

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Current Initiative

High School Redesign

In February 2022, DCPS and XQ launched “DC+XQ”, a multi-year partnership to reimagine the high school experience in the nation’s capital. This community-led initiative brings together teachers, families, students, and community members to imagine what’s possible for DCPS’ high school students.

25M
Dollars in redesign investments
6
High Schools currently undergoing whole-school community co-design, rethinking all aspects of the school model
6,000+
Community stakeholders engaged in the redesign efforts since 2022
Current Initiative

DCPS Persists

DCPS Persists is the first college completion initiative ever led by a traditional public school district in the country. For the first time, DCPS is providing college-bound students with a support network to help them succeed and complete college.

$9.2M
Raised to support DCPS Persists
2,000+
DCPS alums receiving coaching and supports including workshops, career readiness opportunities, and community building in pursuit of their post-secondary degree.
$322K
Microgrants awarded to assist over 1,000 first-year students overcome unexpected financial barriers to persistence and completion.
Past Initiative

High School Redesign (Anacostia and Ballou High School)

In 2019, DCPS launched a High School redesign initiative, the district’s first community-driven transformation strategy beginning with Anacostia HS and Ballou HS. Grounded on human centered practices, redesign teams lead schools through a year long incubation journey that transform schools with and for them versus aiming solutions “at” them.

$3M
Dollars in redesign investments
1900
Stakeholders involved in the redesign process, including students, parents, staff, and community partners
51% + 26%
Increase in 9th grade enrollment at Ballou and Anacostia following the redesign efforts
Past Initiative

Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC)

Bard DC is a four-year public high school that offers students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, up to 60 transferable college credits, and an associate in arts degree from Bard College. As the first stand alone early college high school East of the River, Bard DC is moving the finish line for students motivated by getting an early start to college.

125%
Enrollment increase since SY 2019
100%
Bard DC on-time cohort graduation rate in 2021 and 2022.
100%
Bard students who have earned associates degree by high school graduation in class of 2022, saving an average of $92k/student in college credit costs.
Past Initiative

Learning Together to Advance our Practice (LEAP)

LEAP built on the early success of IMPACTplus taking the quality of instruction from good to great. At the core, LEAP is about helping teachers become true subject-matter experts so that every student across the city experiences rich, engaging, and challenging instruction every day.

500+
LEAP leaders enrolled annually
54,000+
Seminars completed since launch
110,000+
Coaching sessions completed since launch

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