First Fridays – Fall 2013

Friends of Choice in Urban Schools (FOCUS) is now the DC Charter School Alliance!

Please visit www.dccharters.org to learn about our new organization and to see the latest news and information related to DC charter schools.

The FOCUS DC website is online to see historic information, but is not actively updated.

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By Sarah Lick

 

The First Fridays team has been anxiously awaiting a change in seasons. Not only because a cool breeze and a decrease in humidity would be downright pleasant, but also because school is back in session, which means the First Fridays tours are back underway!

 

Our first tour of the year will be on October 4th at Mundo Verde, the only school in the District that focuses on sustainability and bilingual education through expeditionary learning. Mundo Verde currently enrolls students in PreK-3 through 2nd grade, and will expand to add a grade level each year until it is offering 8th grade. This year Mundo Verde was named a Green Ribbon School, recognized for reducing their environmental impact, including energy use, waste and water; creating healthy learning environments and fostering wellness practice; and providing effective environmental education that prepares students to succeed in the 21st century.  

 

In November, the First Fridays team will visit Thurgood Marshall Academy (TMA), the highest performing non-selective charter high school in DC. The college preparatory curriculum at TMA emphasizes the study of the law and the search for justice. TMA is one of only 5 schools in the nation to receive the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) award.

 

December will bring the First Fridays team to Ingenuity Prep, a new charter school that opened its doors for the first time this fall, serving students in grades PreK-3 through kindergarten and eventually growing to 8th grade.  Ingenuity Prep uses an extended calendar and blended learning model, a combination of in-person instruction and computer activities, to ensure a strong academic foundation and to cultivate a broader set of 21st century skills that will truly prepare students to succeed in college and become inspirational civic leaders.

 

The Frist Fridays team is continuously astounded by the richness of the charter sector in DC! If any of these schools intrigues you, or if you are just interested in staying informed about First Fridays tours, email info@firstfridaysdc.org or visit www.firstfridaysdc.org.