Advocating for DC charter schools to create a strong public school sector in Washington, DC

Washington, D.C.
Thirty years ago, DC's public charter school sector was just a bold idea. Since then, thousands of students have walked through DC charter school doors. Learn more about the visionaries that started it all at our 30 Years Gala this November: dccharters.org/support
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📣 Ward 4 families, educators, & neighbors: join @DCSBOE Ward 4 Rep Dr. T. Michelle Colson's listening session on 9/24 at @ELHaynesPCS. Share your thoughts about safety, accountability, & college/workforce readiness. 👉 Register at bit.ly/3VCluZ8
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Looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family or school community? DC Public Library has pulled together a full slate of events and resources across the District! Check out what's happening near you: dclibrary.org/hispanic-herit…
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Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect chance for students to share what makes their culture special, and for classmates to celebrate right along with them! Photo credit: KIPP DC Public Schools
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Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth, DC! 🎊 This month is a special time to honor and uplift the Hispanic and Latino community, including the many students, families, staff, and advocates who help create a stronger and more inclusive school communities for students every day.
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#FlashbackFriday: Last month, we celebrated nearly 40 students from nine of DC's public charter schools as they crossed the stage together, united by the same milestone. Read more about Rainbow Grad: bit.ly/4A5GJCB 🎉 #DCProudCharterStrong
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Recently @ScienceWithSoph visited @socjusticepcs on her ELECTRIC Road Trip, highlighting students tackling real issues like plastic pollution by blending science, literacy, and design thinking into one lesson. See the full segment: instagram.com/dc_charters 💡 #DCProudCharterStrong
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#DCProudCharterStrong 📚 Here are 3 tips to help your child manage school assignments: - Keep a visible calendar or planner to track due dates - Break big assignments into smaller, manageable steps - Set up a consistent, distraction-free homework space Photo: @FriendshipPCS
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School is back in session! And already, our educators are pouring everything into this school year. To every teacher and staff member going above and beyond, thank you! Our students' success starts with you.
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As you settle into the school year, homework and activities start to pick up – which can quickly become overwhelming – but building a solid routine now for your child can make all the difference. Here are a few tips to help keep your child’s learning running smoothly!
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At a recent Ward 7 Youth Town Hall, @7NewsDC's @tomroussey7news highlighted @TruthMontessori 8th grader Makiyah Rich and other students speaking about how summer-only jobs leave a gap that could otherwise help them stay engaged, build skills, and save up for their future.
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📈 Over the last 4 years, more than 1 in 3 DC public charter schools grew the share of students scoring 3+ by at least 10+ points in ELA and/or Math. That's educators showing up for students every day. 🎉
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What do you see for the future of DC? Mayoral nominee Janeese Lewis George is hosting listening sessions in every ward this month. ~48,000 DC students attend public charters — let's make sure their voices are heard. Find your ward's session: janeesefordc.com/peoplesgove…
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That progress extended across student groups, too — charters outpaced citywide ELA growth for students of color, economically disadvantaged students, English Learners, & students w/ disabilities. And 8 of the city's top 10 open-enrollment high schools for 3+ ELA? Public charters.
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📚📈 DC public charter schools made strong ELA gains — especially in middle and high school. Middle school proficiency grew +5.1 points and high school grew +3.4 points, both outpacing the citywide average.
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#ClapThemBack 2026! 🎉 This week, families, neighbors, DC Charter School Alliance team members, and DC officials across all eight wards came together to celebrate and welcome students back to school for a brand new year! 👏 Here's to a great school year! #DCProudCharterStrong
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Thank you to @dcpave for hosting (with @MMartinCadogan bringing it to life) — because every DC student deserves grade level and beyond.
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We're grateful to every elected official who showed up for DC students this year. Special thanks to @ChmnMendelson, @CMLewisGeorgeW4, and @CMZParker5 for helping narrow the FY27 funding gap this spring.
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About Tuesday night... 🎉 The DC Charter School Alliance joined our DC Students Succeed campaign partners to celebrate the policymakers moving education forward for DC students — because our leaders show up for kids every day, from funding to tutoring.
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Growth this year wasn't limited to one group — we saw gains across a broad range of student groups. Most student groups grew in ELA & Math on the 2026 CAPE, with charters outpacing DC's citywide average in ELA. The work is moving in the right direction.
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DC Public charter schools saw widespread gains this year, especially in ELA. WTOP’s @Gelman_Scott helped spotlight how Friendship Ideal Middle School is helping drive that progress. 🎉 Read the full article: wtop.com/dc/2026/08/dc-stude… #DCProudCharterStrong
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4 years running, public charters outperformed the citywide average in ELA & Math in Wards 5, 7 & 8 — home to 64% of all charter students. Over 50% of public school students there attend charters. Charters aren't just present in these communities—they're driving academic progress.
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CAPE results are in. We still have work to do so every DC student can read, write & do math on grade level—that's what we show up for every day. But the data also shows real, consistent growth, especially in some of our highest-need neighborhoods. More analyses coming soon.📈👀
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While back-to-school is an exciting time for students jumping into learning, it's also be a busy time as you and your family prepare for the year. Here are our top 5 favorite tips to make your transition from summer to fall as smooth as it can be. 📝 #DCProudCharterStrong
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Reflecting on his high school journey, Student Speaker Jameer talked about the importance of perseverance, including when you’re down. For our 2026 grads, your journey may have looked different, but your accomplishment is just as significant. Congratulations! @dcpcsb @TMAtalks
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Huge congrats to DC's public charter schools! 🎉 @usnews just ranked public charters as 9 of DC's top 10 open-enrollment public high schools — open to EVERY student, no essay or audition required. 30 years of proving excellence is for all. 🎓 Read more at bit.ly/3SIjs8U
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🏆Our FY27 budget work just earned an Honorable Mention for the @PIEnetwork Best Defense Eddies Award—for defending funding for DC's 48k public charter students. The award has our name, but the win belongs to our students, families, educators, & advocates. #DCProudCharterStrong
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School is back across DC! 🎒 Find your charter school's first day on @dcpcsb's calendar: dcpcsb.org/back-action-first… and tag your first-day photos #DCProudCharterStrong
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What happens when a school’s vision can’t drive the space it occupies? Ely Ross explains how funding limits facility options for public charter schools and why schools should be designed around their educational model, not the space available. Watch: piped.video/y_QvT1gnE6c
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Rainbow Graduation is here! Today we celebrated the Class of 2026, honoring graduates with unique paths who crossed the finish line in the final triumph of their high school journey. Congrats, graduates! We can't wait to see what you do next. 🎉
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School leaders should focus on teaching and learning—not aging HVAC systems and building repairs. Margie Yeager explains why philanthropy alone can’t close the charter facilities funding gap. Watch: piped.video/y_QvT1gnE6c #DCCharterSchools
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What does inequitable facilities funding mean for school leaders? Shawn Hardnett shares the tradeoffs charter leaders face balancing facilities costs with investments in students, staff, and programs. Watch: piped.video/y_QvT1gnE6c #DCCharterSchools
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Great schools need great learning spaces. Our latest Leaders in Conversation explores why facilities remain a challenge for DC public charter schools—and why the spaces where students learn matter. Watch: piped.video/y_QvT1gnE6c #DCCharterSchools #SchoolFacilities
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Congratulations to Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School on being featured in LATINO Magazine! 🎉 Two stories highlight the school’s 50+ years of helping DC adult learners build skills, prepare for careers and pursue their goals. #DCCharterProud
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From water play to classroom learning, summer is in full swing at DC Scholars Public Charter School! ☀️💦📚 We love seeing students learning, exploring, and having fun all summer long. #DCCharterProud #SummerLearning
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📚☀️ Shoutout to Two Rivers Public Charter School for keeping students engaged all summer long! Through hands-on learning and small-group instruction, students are building skills, confidence, and momentum for the school year ahead. #DCProudCharterStrong #SummerLearning
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🎉 Congratulations to our 2026–2027 #MathAcceleration Grant recipients! We're excited to partner with 14 DC charter schools to strengthen math instruction and accelerate student outcomes. Congratulations to all of this year's recipients! #DCMath #MathEducation
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Congratulations to Carlos Rosario International on earning the 2026 Board Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement! 🎉 The first charter school and workforce education organization to receive this honor for outstanding board leadership. #DCProudCharterStrong
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Today, 250+ leaders from DC public charter schools & @dcpublicschools gathered with @OSSEDC, @DMEforDC, @dcpcsb, @Nationals & nearly 20 partners for the citywide Step Up to the Plate for Attendance Summit. 95k+ Students are counting on us to help them show up ready to learn. 🙌⚾
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Excited to join DC’s AI State Cohort through the PIE Network! We'll collaborate with partners nationwide to explore AI policy, AI literacy, and responsible innovation in education and bring what we learn back to support schools across DC. #AI #EdTech #DCEducation
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Shoutout to Friendship Public Charter Schools for wrapping up its Summer Leadership Institute! We loved the "Perfect School Year Sundae" activity—a fun reminder that a successful school year is built on thoughtful preparation, collaboration, and strong leadership. 🍨📚
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🌟 Excellence in Action: 2026 🌟 Earlier this year, Washington Latin Public Charter School celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new Anna Julia Cooper Campus. We’re excited to see all this space makes possible for students and educators in the years ahead! #DCProudCharterStrong
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DC public charter schools joined partners at Children's National Hospital at the School Wellness Symposium, highlighting how schools are integrating education, health, and wellness to support students and families. Read more: dccharters.org/blog/dc-chart… #DCProudCharterStrong
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At @TwoRiversPCS, building an inclusive school community is ongoing work. Through Race & Equity Crew discussions, staff engaged in reflection and dialogue to create more equitable experiences for students and families. #DCProudCharterStrong
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🌟 Excellence in Action: 2026 🌟 A standout moment from this school year: Adult Charter School Advocacy Day at the John A. Wilson Building. Adult learners and advocates came together to elevate their stories and champion opportunity across DC. #DCProudCharterStrong
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🌟 Excellence in Action: 2026 🌟 A highlight from this school year: the ribbon cutting for Sela Public Charter School’s new playground, with a great student performance and remarks from @CMLewisGeorgeW4  #DCProudCharterStrong
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“We weren’t just building schools. We were building possibilities.” A powerful reflection from Patricia “Pat” Brantley’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech on what 30 years of charter schools in DC has made possible. #DCProudCharterStrong
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“What once felt impossible became possible because our community taught me to believe in myself.” Hanane’s words at @CR_School Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony remind us of the power of education, community, and resilience. Congratulations, Class of 2026. 🎓
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DC charter students are dreaming big. 🎨 Congrats to the winners of the Spring 2026 DC 529 Art Contest! Their creativity, imagination, and big dreams were on full display. #DCProudCharterStrong #DC529
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Proud to join partners at the Learn24 Network Out-of-School Time Conference and Showcase From student voices to conversations on innovation and partnership, the event highlighted the power of out-of-school time programming in helping DC students thrive. #DCProudCharterStrong
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