Washington, DC

(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles, DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson, and State Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang celebrated the start of the 2016-2017 School Year at the newly opened Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, the District’s only single-sex public high school.

“We are celebrating all that our public schools have to offer as we kick-off another school year,” said Mayor Bowser. “Ron Brown College Preparatory High School will provide our young men with the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life.”

In addition to the opening of Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, DCPS also opened MacFarland Middle School in Ward 4 and launched two new academic programs – a  global studies program at the recently renovated Theodore Roosevelt High School in Ward 4 and a Public Safety Academy at Anacostia High School in Ward 8. Four new public charter schools also opened their doors this year – Breakthrough Montessori in Ward 4, Washington Leadership Academy in Ward 5, Goodwill Excel Center in Ward 2, and Rocketship Rise Academy in Ward 8.

“This school year will be another year of opportunities for our young people to expand their learning, see the world, and prepare for college and beyond,” said Chancellor Kaya Henderson. “Whether that’s the young men at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School making history as the first class of a new school, or students at Anacostia High School getting a head start on a law-enforcement career.”

Throughout the week, Mayor Bowser will participate in a variety of events to commemorate the start of the 2016-2017 School Year. Today, teams from the Mayor’s Office were out in the streets reminding motorists to slow down and use caution while school is in session. Tomorrow at 3:30 pm, Mayor Bowser, Chancellor Henderson, and community members will celebrate the $72 million modernization of Lafayette Elementary School. More information on this event can be found here. On Wednesday at 10 am, Mayor Bowser will join Chancellor Henderson at Hendley Elementary School in Ward 8 to announce the donation of 1,000 packs of classroom supplies to DCPS by Yoobi, an innovative school supply company.

Next week, Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles will kick-off a series of community forums to hear from residents as Mayor Bowser moves forward with the selection of a new Chancellor. Residents can find more details on the search for a new Chancellor and RSVP for a community forum at dcpsrising.dc.gov.

To follow the first week of the 2016-17 school year on social media, follow #DCPSRising and #DCCharterProud.