schools

Rendering for Meridian Public Charter School *Addition* Coming to 13th and V St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth


Rendering of alley view courtesy of Bowie Gridley Architects

Back in July ’11 we learned that Meridian Public Charter school would be moving into the old Harrison School at 13th and V St, NW. They got their financing – from a press release:

“The historic Harrison School building has become the next development in Washington, D.C.’s dynamic U Street neighborhood. A $15.5 million renovation adds 12,000 square feet to the existing 49,000 square foot structure to serve hundreds of families and 530 children from early childhood through eighth grade at Meridian Public Charter School.

Meridian Chairman Ron Ridker explained the school’s commitment to the U Street area. “The Manhattan Laundry building has served us very well since our inception twelve years ago. We could have found a good permanent home for Meridian in other parts of the city, but waited until an appropriate building close to our current location came along, so we could continue serving the community we grew up with. The Manhattan Laundry space will soon be available for other uses.”

Primary funding for Meridian’s new home was provided through TRF’s Chase New Markets Tax Credit Charter School Fund, created in partnership with The Reinvestment Fund (TRF) and Chase. A fifty-year lease signed with the District of Columbia, construction began this week at 13th and V Streets, N.W. for completion in August of 2012.

In addition to its premier financing partners, Meridian has assembled a top team: Forrester Construction, Bowie Gridley Architects, Building Hope, and Brailsford & Dunlavey.”


Current alley view

What do you think of the addition renderings? You can see how the property looks now from the front here.


Alley view


Alley view

Free Showing of Waiting for “Superman” followed by a panel discussion on education policy

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The U Street Neighborhood Association’s Education Committee invites you to attend the final screening of the 2011 U Street Movie Series with Waiting for Superman on Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Shaw @ Garnet-Patterson Jr. High School, 2001 10th Street, NW.

As seating is limited, FREE registration is required to attend.

The screening of the movie will  be followed by an engaging panel discussion about the education of the District’s children, a pressing community issue.  Doors open at 12:00 pm (12:15-2:00 pm screening; 2:15-3:30 pm panel conversation).  A networking reception at Duffy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2106 Vermont Avenue, will begin immediately after the conclusion of the panel discussion.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Jackie Gran and Education policy expert, and neighborhood resident. Confirmed panelists include:

  • Jason Kamras: DCPS Chief of Human Capital, featured in the film, and neighborhood resident.
  • Evelyn Boyd Simmons: ANC 2F Education Committee Chair, and parent of two Garrison Elementary students.
  • Reuben Jacobson: Senior Associate for Research & Strategy for the Coalition for Community Schools, former DC Teaching Fellow, and DCPS parent.
  • Patrick Mara: Ward 1 DC State Board of Education Representative.
  • Robinette Breedlove: Principal, Meridian Charter School.
  • Kerry Sylvia: Teacher, Cardozo High School.
  • Ann McLeod: Garrison Elementary PTA President, and parent.

There is a suggested $5 cash donation at the door.”

Capital City Public Charter School for Sale at 15th and Irving St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Urban Turf speculates:

“3047 15th Street NW is particularly intriguing because it is zoned as R-5-B. Such zoning means the building could be used for residential purposes and that a developer could convert the building into a condo project.”

It’s yours for $8,950,000.

We judged the building back in Oct. ’08.

I’m also quite curious what will happen to the school? Will they combine with the uppers school campus? Whenever we’ve spoken about the school in the past – parents have been very happy with them. You can learn more about Capital City Public Charter School here.

Anyone have the inside scoop on why they are selling?

Ed. Note: This sale follows the July news of Maya Angelou Public Charter School sale at 9th and T St, NW for $9,500,000.


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Meridian Public Charter School Looking To Renovate, Move Into Old Harrison School at 13th and V St, NW

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to some folks from Meridian PCS for sending some info about the school at 2120 13th St, NW:


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Quick Facts about Meridian PCS…
Meridian has been renting a converted factory building at 1328 Florida Avenue, NW for 10 years
• Meridian PCS has an enrollment of 550 students ranging from early childhood to 8th grade
• Meridian PCS anticipates moving into its new facility by August of 2012
• This project is a $15M investment that includes a 49,000 SF renovation along with a 12,000 SF addition

Meridian PCS ANC Handout (7-Jul-2011)

I’m told the deal should be finalized tomorrow and that renovations would be starting as soon as possible.

Meridian PCS “will continue to operate at the Florida Avenue site [1328 Florida Avenue, NW] until the renovation/addition is complete which is expected Summer 2012. Other public charter schools in DC continue to also grow and search for affordable space. It is likely that another public charter school will lease the Florida Avenue site after Meridian leaves.”

Regarding the current tenant:

“The Children’s Studio School relinquished their charter with the DC Public Charter School Board in June 2010 announcing plans to continue as a private school. Since then they have known that they would not be able to continue operating from the public property of Harrison Elementary. The Mayor’s office has been trying to help them with this transition.”

The Farm at Walker Jones = Awesome

By Prince Of Petworth


Photos courtesy of The Farm at Walker Jones

“Dear PoP,

We are the largest school gardening program in the city right now and one of only two “farms” alongside Common Good City Farm. The project blog may be found at wjfarm.org.

The first photo is a shot from the back of the farm where you can see our school in the center. New building. Lots of glass.

The second photo is of Jeff Miller of DC Honeybees showing the kids what one of our two hives on the farm is up to. We have a hive of Russian bees and a hive of Italian. The Italians are very lively and excitable.

The third photo is of our perennial herb bed.”

Sounds and looks awesome:

Design: The Farm is located ten blocks north of the U.S. Capitol and is across L Street from the school [1125 New Jersey Ave. NW]. The Farm contains four large production-scale beds for greens and vegetables just south of a small orchard of figs, paw paws and persimmons surrounding an outdoor classroom. A large sections of herbs and flowers for school-made products lines the west side of the garden, while the east side contains a small greenhouse, shipping container tool shed, outdoor pizza oven, and raspberry patch.

Action Plan: The following plan outlines possible next steps to make the vision of Walker Jones Farm a reality:

Summer 2010: Establish Farm. Plant beds, set up utilities and create orchard and outdoor classroom
Fall 2010: Integrate farm into Kindergarten curriculum and hold Fall farm celebration
Spring 2011: Plant spring garden with input from Walker Jones community and neighborhood
2011-2012: Work on integration into school cafeteria and curriculum, including product development
2012-2013: Begin selling products, serving food from farm weekly at school and share practices

Friday Question of the Day – Will You (Do You) Send Your Children to School in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of ‘Shenanigans with the marquee at Garrison Elementary’ by PoPville reader JS

In Feb. we had a discussion about schools in PoPville and I was (happily) surprised to hear many positive recommendations. Just a few years ago if I spoke to people who had young children or were planning on having them about 95% said they would move out of DC when it was time to send their kids to school. So I’d like to revisit that question to see if sentiments have changed over the years.

For the Friday Question of the Day – very simply – will you (do you) send your children to school in DC? If yes, will you/do you send them to public school, charter school or private school?

I’ve also heard that it is common to send your children to elementary school in DC but then move when they reach middle school or high school age – do you plan on sending your children to school in DC through high school?


Dear PoPville – Preschools for the littlest ones?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“Dear PoPville,

I am a Petworth resident with a 1.5 year old. I read the post from Feb 14 about schools in PoPville with considerable interest. It seems like there are more decent options for public and charter schools nearby than I had originally thought. However, I am interested in starting my son in a preschool program at 2.5 years and it looks like the public/charter school options only start at 3 years. I’d love for some more input from PoPville on nearby preschool options for 2.5 year olds. What schools do people like? How expensive are the programs? How is the transition from a private preschool to public/charter schools?”

Old Secret Safeway Building in Dupont to House Mundo Verde Public Charter School

By Prince Of Petworth

Looks like speculation that an H Mart and/or office space may have both been wrong guesses for a replacement tenant for the Secret Safeway in Dupont. Thanks to a reader for sending in word that Mundo Verde PCS has leased space in the building:

“Mundo Verde will be located at 2001 S Street NW in Dupont Circle, conveniently close to the Red Line Metro and numerous bus lines.

Our space was designed for use by early elementary students and includes six large, bright classrooms; a library/lounge; a conference room; bathrooms; and a kitchen that are all on one floor.”

Though, it is not clear if they will be taking the 1st floor retail space because their Web site says:

“Mundo Verde anticipates moving from its incubator space by its second year of operations. In its search, school administrators will prioritize space that is accessible by public transportation and has ample room for outdoor classrooms and a learning garden. The school is currently exploring potential sites in Wards 1, 2, 5 and 6.”

At any rate, the school sounds pretty cool:

“Mundo Verde is the first and only school in the District focusing on Education for Sustainability. The combination of bilingual education and project-based (expeditionary) learning is also unique in the District of Columbia.”

Dear PoP – Non Residents are Paying to go to DC Public Schools

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user rpmaxwell

“Dear PoP,

We live in Brookland, where Noyes Elementary is the assigned elementary school for our child. With the recent test cheating scandal, we are even more grateful than ever that our child was lucky enough to win an out-of-boundary spot at one of the few good DC elementary schools. Some of our neighbors have not been so lucky. Given the limited number of good elementary schools in the city and the limited number of out-of-bounds spots in each school, I find it very upsetting when I drop off or pick up my child from school to see numerous parents whose cars have Maryland license plates.

Some of these parents are likely sending their children to this school illegally, which I understand the district has policies in place to prevent. That is of course, annoying, but it is the parents who are in the wrong. But we were very surprised to learn that other parents are actually paying non-resident tuition for their children to attend the school.

According to the school district’s website, non-resident parents “may pay non-resident tuition to enroll in a DCPS school where space is available.” We don’t have a problem with that generally speaking. But it appears that the district is giving spaces to non-resident tuition payers even when there is a long waiting list of DC residents who applied via the out-of-boundary process to these schools. Shouldn’t these spots go to DC residents first, and then if (and only if) there are no remaining DC children who want to attend a particular school, be opened up to non-resident tuition payers?”

Holy cow. Did anyone else know this takes place? Does it make sense?

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