WSG Announces New Name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2014

CONTACT: KATE KENNEDY202-678-1113

kkennedy@wsgdc.org

WASHINGTON SCHOOL FOR GIRLS ANNOUNCES NEW NAME

The Washington School for Girls officially announces a name change from the Washington Middle School for Girls

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The formerly Washington Middle School for Girls is now the Washington School for Girls, a name that more accurately reflects the nature of the program that has included 4th and 5th grade since 2005.

Committed to empowering young women in Wards 7 and 8, the Washington School for Girls (WSG) has decided to make a change from the Washington Middle School for Girls. The name change comes following the successful establishment of 4th and 5th grade programs.

“In the 9 years since we added the 4th grade, our program has evolved into much more than a middle school. We are embracing this evolution by formally changing our name,” said Head of School, Sr. Mary Bourdon, RJM, who is one of the founders of the school. “I also believe that this change will help prospective families find us in the 4th grade, when we have the most open slots available.”

What began as an afterschool program for middle school girls in 1997 has grown over the past 17 years to encompass a full academic program on two campuses in Southeast Washington, D.C. WSG blends academic challenge with support for the social, emotional, and spiritual growth of each student by offering small classes, a rich extended day program, and a safe and caring environment for learning. The success of the program is evidenced by a 98% high school graduation rate, much higher than the neighborhood average of under 50%. A tuition-free independent Catholic school recognized by the Archdiocese of Washington, the WSG is funded entirely through private contributions and grants.

In the past three years, the WSG accomplished a number of strategic initiatives including achieving accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools and relocating the 4th and 5th grade campus to the school facility at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. “WSG has matured into a leading option for girls in Southeast DC,” said Pamela Johnson, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We are eager to explore the ways in which we can continue to serve the community and improve the program we offer.”

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WSG is an independent, all girls, Catholic day school serving grades 4-8 in Anacostia tuition-free. To find out more about WSG’s programs, contact the school at 202-678-1113 or visit www.washingtonschoolforgirls.org.

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WSG Featured on PBS-WHUT

Local PBS affiliate WHUT featured WSG in two recent programs: The American Graduate series and Vocal Point: Meeting Students Where They Are.

(Note: these programs were produced prior to our name change, and WSG is referred to by the former name, Washington Middle School for Girls.)

The American Graduate series highlighted a number of programs that are addressing the drop-out crisis, including WMSG. The video focuses on the engaging extended day program that we offer through collaboration with partner organizations at THEARC, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Washington Ballet, the Corcoran ArtReach, and the Levine School of Music. The segment includes interviews from students, staff, former parents, and Sister Mary.

For other videos in the series, visit WHUT's website http://www.whut.org/

WHUT also featured WSG in an episode of Vocal Point, a series that focuses on a wide variety of issues relevant to the DC metro area. WSG graduate Yolanda Long, a recent college graduate and a first-year teacher in DC with Teach for America, participated on a panel with other passionate local educators. In addition to speaking about her teaching experience, Yolanda reflected on her years at WSG, sharing, "I didn't have a vision of going to college before I went to WSG."

You can see the video here.

The program is approximately 1 hour long and address the topic of "Meeting Students Where They Are." Discussion includes ways to develop math and language arts curriculum that are accessible to students who may be operating below grade level, supporting the whole student, and issues of language barriers for immigrant population. Yolanda reflects on her teaching experience at 20:00 minutes, WSG is featured at 30:00 minutes, and Yolanda discusses what she values about her WSG education at 34:00 minutes.

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