#1: Turnaround for Children
Neutralizing the Effects of Poverty on Learning
Turnaround for Children is a New York-based nonprofit that expanded to Washington in 2009. Turnaround works with schools and districts in order to address the multiple assaults on the health and ability to learn of children growing up in poverty. Turnaround’s operating theory is that schools can be organized to develop systems that address these challenges, helping teachers and students overcome multiple barriers to school success and creating, instead, school cultures that promote learning, order and healthy interactions.
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#2: DC Public Schools, through the DC Public Education Fund
Investing in Specific Projects that Align to District-Wide Reform Priorities
The DC Public Education Fund is an independent nonprofit that marshals private philanthropy to advance excellence in the DC Public Schools. The Education Fund works alongside the school system’s leadership to identify places where private support can bolster effective teaching and solve specific system-wide problems.
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#3: DC Scholars Public Charter School
Putting students on the PATH to success
Operated by Philadelphia-based CMO Scholar Academies, DC Scholars Public Charter School uses a focused, progressive educational approach designed specifically to close the achievement gap for low-income students who are severely under-prepared. Their model develops students into smart and dedicated scholars, determined to succeed and achieve academically.
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#4: Teach For America – DC Metro Region
Creating a Talent and Leadership Pipeline for Public Education
Teach For America (TFA) is a national organization that recruits the nation’s top recent college graduates to teach in underserved schools for two “corps member” years. Founded in 1990, two thirds of all TFA alumni are still working in education. In the District alone, more than 1000 TFA alumni are serving in leadership roles in education, politics and business. As a result of their TFA experience, a significant number of them have remained educators or have reoriented their careers around serving low-income populations.
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#5: KIPP DC
Reinforcing that Knowledge Is Power
KIPP DC is a network of high-performing, public, college-preparatory charter schools in Washington D.C., which serves the city’s under-resourced communities. At KIPP DC, there are no shortcuts: outstanding educators, more time in school, a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support help our students make significant academic gains and continue to excel in high school and college. With 8 schools growing to 10 in 2013, KIPP:DC is proving that all kids, regardless of zip code, can achieve.
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Up and Coming Best Bet: Achievement Prep
Fighting the "Fourth Grade Slump"
Achievement Prep expands the traditional definition of middle school to include fourth grade in an effort to strategically combat the “fourth grade slump”—an emergence of comprehension difficulties, particularly related to reading competency. Through a rigorous academic program focused on literacy, remediation, and acceleration, Achievement Prep’s students fight the fourth grade slump and work to reach a college preparatory track.
Learn more about Achievement Prep