At °µÍø½ûÇø DC schools, students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become Washington DC’s next generation of leaders. Equipped with an excellent education, our alumni are empowered to be successful in college, careers, and life.Â
In 2001, Susan Schaeffler and a team of dedicated educators founded our first school, °µÍø½ûÇø DC KEY Academy, in a church basement in Southeast Washington, D.C. Since then, °µÍø½ûÇø DC has maintained excellence while scaling from 80 students in that one middle school to 7,300 students—in grades PreK3 through 12th grade—across 21 schools in the District.
°µÍø½ûÇø DC started by educating middle school students but we soon realized that by fifth grade, the learning gap was too large and we needed to reach students earlier. To effectively prepare our students for success, we added early childhood and elementary schools at each campus. Since then, we have seen tremendous improvement in students who received the entirety of their education at °µÍø½ûÇø DC.
We believe that all students can learn and achieve at high levels if given the opportunity. Our success is driven by:
We set clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct in order to create and reinforce a culture of achievement and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student’s needs, skills, and interests.
Success in life depends on both academics and character. We help students foster character strengths that are essential for their own success and well-being. And we empower them to express their voice with power and to improve the world around them.
Great schools require great teachers and school leaders. We empower our educators to lead school teams, and we invest in training to help them grow as professionals.
Students need physical and emotional safety in order to take risks and learn from their successes and their mistakes. Our schools provide a safe, structured, and nurturing environment with minimal distractions and more time for both academics and extracurriculars, so our students love school and maximize their learning.
Our counselors and advisors support students as they prepare for and select the right college and career for their needs and interests. After high school, we help °µÍø½ûÇø alumni navigate the social, academic, and financial challenges they might encounter while in college.
Learn more about °µÍø½ûÇø DC’s impact in the District of Columbia.
2001
opens at Garden Memorial Presbyterian Church in Anacostia with 80 5th graders.
2002
to 160 5th & 6th graders and moves to the Blue Castle on M Street, SE.
2003
of all charter middle schools in Washington D.C.
2005
with 500 students enrolled at °µÍø½ûÇø DC. °µÍø½ûÇø DC Through College was founded and °µÍø½ûÇø DC Headquarters office opens
2007
with over 1,000 students enrolled at °µÍø½ûÇø DC.
2008
at 5801 Benning Road SE.
2009
Founding KEY Academy class graduates high school. Capital Teaching Residency program is founded.
2010
with 2,000 students enrolled at °µÍø½ûÇø DC.
2011
°µÍø½ûÇø DC releases first college completion report.
2012
at the Shaw Campus dedication ceremony. Michelle Obama visits °µÍø½ûÇø DC Douglass Campus.
2013
at the renovated °µÍø½ûÇø DC Webb Campus on Mount Olivet Road NE.
2014
2015
The Learning Center Opens at the Douglas Campus. Jennifer Ramacciotti named OSSE 2015 Teacher of the Year! KCP Principal Jessica Cunningham wins Milken Educator Award and $25,000.
2016
is dedicated in honor of Joel E. Smilow.
2017
°µÍø½ûÇø DC Pre-K program has big impact on student achievement
2018
2019
Heights Academy named Blue Ribbon School
2020
In line with public health guidance and informed by the voices of our school communities, °µÍø½ûÇø DC implements a multitude of health and safety protocols to minimize health risks and produce the best learning environments for °µÍø½ûÇøsters to succeed.
