Changes at Anacostia H.S.

In an otherwise enlightening April 8th report about the changes at Anacostia High School, a former employee of the school, Marvin Tucker, misled your readers.

First some facts: The D.C. Public Schools Chancellor invited Friendship Public Charter School to take responsibility for the academic instruction of Anacostia’s students because Anacostia High was neglecting the educational needs of its children. With only 18 percent of students reading at grade level and 17 percent at grade level in math, Anacostia High was a seriously under-performing high school. Beyond academics, the school was notorious for being unable to guarantee the safety of its students. Student attendance was under 50 percent. The graduation rate was about 50 percent. Anacostia did not merely have a poor reputation; it was failing our children on a massive scale. Children recall teachers who were asleep at their desks; unable to solve simple problems; unwilling even to arrive at their students’ classes on time.

What Mr. Tucker calls “the charter school method” has to date included requiring that uniforms be worn, increasing student attendance, and hiring passionate and committed teachers. Perhaps not coincidentally, 16 students at the new Academies at Anacostia earned the prestigious D.C. Achievers Scholarships in February, which pays their way through college and provides invaluable financial and mentoring support.

The partnership between Friendship and D.C. Public Schools at Anacostia is essential to give our children the tools they need for college acceptance and success in adult life.

Donald L. Hense, Chairman and Founder

Friendship Public Charter School, D.C.