11 DC Public Schools Kick Off School Year 2016-2017 with More Learning Time

Contact: Janae Hinson, (202) 853-1045

(Washington, DC) Today, more than 3,600 elementary and middle school students begin school at 11 extended-year schools across DC Public Schools (DCPS), gaining an extra month of learning.

“The extra classroom time that an extended-year calendar provides is critical,” said Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “We know that students from low-income families often lose more than two months of reading achievement during the summer, despite the fact that their middle-class peers are making gains. Providing students in struggling schools with more instructional opportunities across all subjects – from math and English language arts to world language and music – leads to better outcomes in the long term.”

The 11 elementary and middle schools with extended year in School Year 2016-2017 are:

• Garfield Elementary School (Ward 8)
• H.D. Cooke Elementary School (Ward 1)
• Hart Middle School (Ward 8)
• Hendley Elementary School (Ward 8)
• Johnson Middle School (Ward 8)
• Kelly Miller Middle School (Ward 7)
• King Elementary School (Ward 8)
• Randle Highlands Elementary School (Ward 7)
• Raymond Education Campus (Ward 4)
• Thomas Elementary School (Ward 7)
• Turner Elementary School (Ward 8)

DCPS selected the schools based on interest from the community (including among both students and parents), strong leadership in each school, and schools looking to make significant academic gains.

“Here at Turner Elementary School, we believe that closing the achievement gap is critical to putting all of our students on the path for success,” said Principal Eric Bethel. “Extending the school year is yet another opportunity for our school leaders and teachers to build closer relationships with students and to offer extra programming and increased enrichment opportunities.”

The extended-year calendar includes an additional month of instruction, which extends the academic school year from 180 to 200 days. With a goal of eliminating summer learning loss, extended-year schools will offer extra classroom time and an additional two weeks of optional learning time for students who need extra support. There will also be breaks in October and June to accompany the winter and spring breaks. Students who attend an extended-year school starting in kindergarten gain an additional year of learning by the time they reach the 8th grade. Extended-year schools will not only have additional time built in for focusing on all subjects and extracurriculars, but also more professional collaboration time for teachers.

Raymond Education Campus, a school that serves PreK-8 students in Ward 4, first piloted the program in School Year 2015-2016. “We are thrilled to be entering yet another year of extended-school year” said Natalie Hubbard, principal at Raymond Education Campus. “Last school year, we saw significant momentum and support from parents, teachers, and community members, along with academic progress from our students.”

School will start on Monday, August 22 for the remaining 104 DCPS schools.

For more information, follow @DCPublicSchools on Twitter and Facebook, and use #DCPSRising to see the learning happening at our extended-year schools.