(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, and Department of General Services Director Keith Anderson cut the ribbon on the new, permanent home for Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) DC. Bard High School Early College DC first opened in August 2019 as a partnership between Bard College and DCPS. BHSEC DC is a District-wide high school program that offers students the unique opportunity to earn up to 60 transferable college credits and an associate degree from Bard College alongside a high school diploma, free of charge.
“When we first launched this innovative partnership with Bard in 2019, we knew we were embarking on something important. Now, with this beautiful, modernized building, Bard has a permanent home to provide innovative and tuition-free pathways to college,” said Mayor Bowser. “Students who choose Bard have bet on themselves – they have bet on their futures and their ability to make the most of a reimagined high school experience.”
The new school is located in the former Malcom X Opportunity Center in Congress Heights and will offer District students another first-class facility to pursue their academic goals. For three and half years, the school was temporarily housed at the Davis Elementary School building located at 4430 H Street SE. This week, students and staff returned from winter break to begin classes at the new school located at 1351 Alabama Avenue SE.
The new Bard High School will be approximately 108,200 square feet spread over four floors and with a total of 32 classrooms. The modernization also includes construction of a new basketball court, a new track and sports field, a black box theater, and a media center lounge, among other site elements.
“Bard High School Early College DC has been providing a quality education to students from across the district and offering a unique opportunity for a head start in their collegiate journey,” said Chancellor Ferebee. “Today, the city offers these students a new and permanent space to spark their intellectual curiosity, to provide a joyful learning experience, and to prepare them for a promising future.”
Phase II of the project, which includes additional work to the exterior of the building, an outdoor parking lot, and outdoor turf field and basketball courts, is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
“This new home for Bard builds on Mayor Bowser’s vision of creating spaces that enrich students’ educational experiences,” said Director Anderson. “We are excited to deliver to DC students a world-class facility that meets their educational needs and creates spaces to explore new opportunities.”
Social Media:
Mayor Bowser Twitter: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos