Quality Schools Initiative

Fight For Children’s Quality Schools Initiative, an innovative awards program, encourages exploration, discussion, and implementation of high-quality practices and programs that can improve student achievement in public, charter, and independent schools in Washington, DC.

On April 13, 2011, DC State Superintendent of Education Hosanna Mahaley joined Fight For Children to recognize four outstanding DC schools. Thurgood Marshall Academy, a DC public charter high school, and DC Preparatory Academy, a DC public charter middle school, each won Champion of Quality awards and a $50,000 grant from Fight For Children. Cleveland Elementary, a DC public school, and Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, a DC public charter elementary school, were each awarded a Rising Star award and a $25,000 grant.

Please watch the short video below starring the outstanding kids from each school.

Over the next several months, Fight For Children will with work the 2011 winning schools to capture their best practices in case studies. The case studies will be available in a printed document and online. Visit the 2010 Quality Schools Initiative site today to learn more about the Quality Schools Initiative and the effective practices of Fight For Children’s 2010 winning schools: KIPP DC: Aim Academy, KIPP DC: Key Academy, and Truesdell Education Campus.

DC School Chooser

Fight For Children is proud to collaborate with GreatSchools to publish the third annual DC School Chooser, a free guide about the many schools in DC to help families make the best educational choice for their children. GreatSchools is a national nonprofit whose mission is to inspire and guide parents to become effective champions of their children's education at home and in their communities.

The 2011-2012 DC School Chooser features profiles of 275 schools, including test scores and trends for DC Public Schools and DC charter schools, extracurricular activities, transportation options, tuition information, and application procedures. The DC School Chooser also includes a workbook to assist parents in determining which schools make the most sense for their families.

Through Fight For Children’s partnership with GreatSchools, the information in the DC School Chooser and much more is available in a searchable database. Visit www.greatschools.org to get school profiles, information about improving your school, and other community resources and links. You can also download a PDF of the DC School Chooser or Listado de Escuelas de D.C.

Please call the GreatSchools English Parent Hotline at 202-431-5538 or Línea Directa para Padres de Familia at 202-431-5516 to request a printed copy of the DC School Chooser or get assistance with choosing a school.