2023 2024
2023
2023–24 marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Bishop Walker School. Our new head of school, new chaplain, and continued family engagement are strengthening outcomes for our students.
to 2024
We are excited to share some of those outcomes with you.
OUR MISSION
The Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys (BWS) is a tuition-free Episcopal school for children from historically underserved communities. The school nurtures the spiritual, intellectual, socialemotional, artistic, and physical development of its students in a Christian community of learners that welcomes boys of all faiths and beliefs. Working in close partnership with students and families, the school strives to create an environment where each boy is challenged to reach his full academic potential and receives the structured support necessary to develop his unique gifts. BWS seeks to foster a love of learning, intellectual curiosity, a spiritual foundation, and the moral character that each boy will need as a student, a citizen, and a child of God.
Growth and Success
dr . angelina arrington , head of school
Iam filled with gratitude and pride for all that we have accomplished together at Bishop Walker School. This was my first year as the head of school, and it has been a privilege to witness the growth of our students, staff, and community.
Our primary focus this past year was implementing data-informed instruction and exposing students to rigorous grade-level content. By using the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessments and carefully analyzing the data, our teachers have been able to tailor their instruction to meet the individual needs of students. I am thrilled to share that we saw gains in MAP scores of 10% to almost 50% across grade levels from fall 2023 to spring 2024. In addition, over 90% of our scholars scored on or above grade level on the DIBELS assessment. These results are a testament to the dedication of our educators, the hard work of our students, and the support from our families.
In addition to our academic achievements, we placed great emphasis on building a strong, supportive school community. Events like “Trunk or Treat” brought together families, staff, and students in a fun, collaborative atmosphere. The Head of School installation service offered us a chance to begin anew and reaffirm our commitment to our mission and core values. Alumni weekend brought BWS graduates who are currently in 6th to 12th grade back to campus to share their experiences at their respective schools, and a summer photoshoot with our college-age alumni presented an opportunity to catch up on how well they’re transitioning into adulthood and how their years at BWS have impacted their educational journey. These opportunities to be in community with one another helped foster a sense of belonging and partnership that is essential to our school’s success.
As we look ahead to the coming year, I am excited to continue our journey of academic excellence and community building. Thank you for your ongoing support, trust, and commitment to the success of every student at BWS. Together, we will continue to make great strides.
Realizing Our Vision
andrew clarke , governing board chair
The 2023–24 school year was one of new beginnings and commitment to a more sustainable future for the Bishop Walker School.
We welcomed Dr. Angelina Arrington as our new head of school in July 2023 and celebrated her installation at Washington National Cathedral on October 12. Dr. Arrington navigated her first year at BWS with great skill and joyful determination. She made several important administrative hires, and her commitment to the well-being of our faculty and staff helped ensure a high retention rate.
We also welcomed Brother Reggie Hayes as our full-time chaplain. Brother Reggie was ordained as a deacon this summer and is preparing for ordination to the priesthood in January. BWS is blessed by his leadership in school worship, pastoral care, religious studies classes, and community outreach.
The BWS Annual Dinner, held in March at the National Cathedral, celebrated Maria Walker as an advocate for the school’s mission and the legacy of her husband, Bishop John T. Walker. The evening raised $1.3 million and continues to fuel our fundraising efforts. We are grateful to the dinner co-chairs, underwriters, and the many volunteers and donors who made the night such a great success.
Dr. Arrington and her team have expanded our focus on data to help advance our mission. Data on student skills and performance and outcomes for our alumni in middle and high school, college, and beyond is already informing the BWS board’s decision-making and ensuring more effective, personalized teaching.
The BWS strategic plan calls for us to “study the feasibility of a capital campaign for endowment and programmatic needs.” To that end, the school has engaged Bill Whitaker of WBW Strategies to help us plan an ambitious and successful campaign, and Dr. Arrington has built a robust development team to prepare for this work.
The BWS community is forever grateful to our generous and engaged donors, partners, and families. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Let us strive to make Bishop Walker School a fitting tribute to John Walker’s blessed life and ministry.” With a shared sense of caring, service, and responsibility, we can ensure a lasting future for the Bishop Walker School.
A letter from our board chair
Math Reading
Small Group Learning Yields Notable Results
At the Bishop Walker School, we strive to offer every student the personalized support they need to thrive. Our classes are small—no more than 16 students. Assistant teachers and learning specialists further reduce the student-teacher ratio schoolwide.
During the 2023–2024 school year, we went a step further in providing individualized instruction, and the results have been extremely encouraging. We divided students into groups of four to six learners for seven one-hour “differentiated learning” sessions per week—three sessions for math, four for reading. The groupings were made based on data from standardized tests and teachers’ informal assessments of student understanding. The small group size allowed teachers to address each student’s needs, monitor their progress, and adjust instruction accordingly.
In just one year, test scores across the school improved overall, demonstrating the power of individualized teaching and learning. Math skills improved most dramatically—by 46%—from grade 4 to grade 5.
“If we say that we’re going to serve these boys, then we have to make sure that they are getting what they need. This means we have to do more work, and the teachers are doing it. I am very proud of the work that they’re doing in the classrooms, and results are showing in the data.”
Yvonne
Wilson,
Executive Functioning Instructor
Where Are Our Graduates Now?
Middle Schools
Capitol Hill Montessori School
Cardigan Mountain School
Center City Public Charter School
Digital Pioneers Academy
Holy Trinity
Landon School
MacArthur Middle School
Milton Hershey School
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. Columba Catholic School
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy
St. Mary’s School of Piscataway
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
St. Thomas More Catholic Academy
Sandy Springs Friends School
Sheridan School
Statesmen Academy
Washington Episcopal School
Washington Jesuit Academy
Washington Latin Charter School
High Schools
Archbishop Carroll High School
Ballou High School
Bishop McNamara Catholic School
Bishop O'Connell High School
DeMatha Catholic High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey Catholic School
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Milton Hershey School
North Point High School
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
St. Mark’s School of Southborough
St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
Colleges & Universities
American University
Fayetteville State University
Georgia State University
Indiana University
Morgan State University
Morehouse College
North Carolina A&T
Randolph University
South Carolina State University
Towson University
University of Maryland
Virginia State University
Washington Adventist University
Armed Forces
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Marines
Skilled Trades
Commercial Driver’s License
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning License
JUSTIN SCOTT BWS ’18
SAMUEL HENDERSON BWS ’18
DAYMOND PARKER BWS ’18
KALON ROSS BWS ’17
JORDAN DUNSTON BWS ’16
JORDAN MONROE BWS ’17
GAVIN PURYEAR BWS ’16
Alumni Reflections Outcomes
“BWS taught me how to interact with other young men in a loving and respectful manner. It was a place where I could be my full self and learn key tools to become successful in college and in life. I remember coming to school every day, and there was always someone there to greet me with a smile.”
JORDAN MONROE, BWS Class of ’17
Sophomore, Fayetteville State University
Major: Business
“BWS taught me how to have a strong sense of self and identity. In a world where Black boys sometimes get ignored for their brilliance, Bishop Walker taught me to have pride in myself and my academic abilities. The Bishop Walker School helped me to be grounded and embrace my fellow classmates as brothers.”
JORDAN DUNSTON, BWS Class of ’16
Junior, Morehouse College
Major: Business Administration
Minor: Management and Mathematics
“During my years at BWS, I learned the importance of brotherhood, leadership, and scholarship. The friendships and connections I made will always hold a special place in my heart.”
DAYMOND PARKER, BWS Class of ’18
Freshman, Towson University
Major: History
“BWS has given me a foundation to build on for school and for life. I have received wisdom and advice about manhood and what it means to walk in integrity and humility. Being a young Black male, I was able to see other positive role models that looked like me and took the time to shape my life in a profound way!”
JUSTIN SCOTT, BWS Class of ’18
United States Air Force
Kings
JUSTIN AND SAMUEL
DAYMOND
JORDAN D.
GAVIN
Students begin every day by reciting the school prayer together.
SCHOOL PRAYER
Grant O Lord,
That in all the joys of life, We may never forget to be kind. Help us to be unselfish in friendship, Thoughtful of those less happy than ourselves, And eager to bear the burdens of others; Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen
Brother Reggie Hayes sharing lessons from the Bible in weekly religion class.
Brother Reggie Hayes: Continuing a Legacy of Pastoral Care
Brother Reggie Hayes, who became the full-time chaplain at BWS in 2023, is on the path to ordination in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. But it’s his exposure to a wide variety of Christian and other religious traditions, along with his background as a tradesman, that makes him a particularly fitting addition to the school.
“By trade and by nature, I’m a caregiver,” he explains, “and so first and foremost I offer pastoral care to the students, to their parents, and to the faculty and staff here.” He sees his role as meeting people where they are, to provide whatever support they need in that moment. It might be simply listening with care, providing guidance, or being present at a funeral.
“We’re always trying to get the kids to slow down. We’re very big on listening.”
Brother Reggie notes that most BWS students are not Episcopalian, and some might not be religious at all. While acknowledging the value of other traditions, he uses the Bible in weekly religion classes to teach moral principles and what he calls “the mindset of Christ .”
He gently pushes students toward self-awareness, showing them that the ritual of silence in the Episcopal tradition can be a powerful tool. “Our boys are very active and moving and full of life and energy, so we show them how to practice the spirit of calmness and be able to settle down and collect themselves and not be as reactive,” he says. “It has to do with emotions, feelings, and thoughts and how to put each one of those different entities in their proper place.”
“It happens schoolwide,” he adds. “We’re always trying to get the kids to slow down. We’re very big on listening... God is asking us throughout the Bible to listen.”
Brother Reggie can be found all around the school, engaging with and listening to students.
The growing list of special events that we invite families to attend includes:
Back-to-School Bazaar
Back-to-School Night
Opening Convocation
Evensong
Trunk or Treat
Mother-Son Dance
Lessons and Carols
African American History Month
Program
School Skate Night
Coffee with the Head of School
Dads Ask Dads
Town Hall
Parent Education Series
It Takes a Village: The Power of HomeSchool Collaboration
Nurturing a close partnership between home and school is a core value of our school’s mission. According to Dr. Angelina Arrington, BWS Head of School, the school’s focus on the homeschool partnership is grounded in the values of the African Diaspora, specifically the concept of “the Village.” This concept asserts that everyone in the Village shares responsibility for the children, including teachers, staff, parents, administrators, and partners. With this tenet in mind, BWS has expanded the director of admissions role to include a focus on community engagement.
Austin Weatherington, who joined BWS as a fourth-grade teacher in 2020, is our first director of admissions and community engagement. One of his primary responsibilities is collaborating with the Parent Association on events and volunteer opportunities that will strengthen the home-school partnership and provide families with even more ways to be involved in their scholar’s education.
“In order for students to get the most out of their academic experience here, the partnership between families and school needs to be very strong,” Weatherington says. In addition to events and volunteer opportunities, BWS encourages families to speak with faculty and staff about daily school life, academics, and the social-emotional life of their son.
Research underscores the impact of a strong home-school partnership, and we will continue to expand our family-focused events to improve academic and social outcomes for our scholars.
The Village
Sandi Hannibal, a Bright Light in the BWS Community
The Bishop Walker School lost a beloved friend on January 29, 2024. Sandi Hannibal, a lifelong educator and leader in both public and independent schools who was one of the founders of BWS, passed away at her home in Washington, D.C.
A passionate advocate for the education of Black boys, Sandi served on the BWS board and was a dedicated volunteer at the school right until the end of her life.
“She had so much patience and so much grace,” says second grade teacher Shawdae Tsang. As a tutor in Shawdae's class, Sandi was a calming presence who made struggling students feel delighted to be pulled aside for “extra wisdom.”
Sandi was also a legendary storyteller. When the school reopened after the COVID19 pandemic, she began volunteering in the library. “That’s when I witnessed her storytelling powers,” recalls librarian Catherine Marquardt. “No matter how squirrelly the class, Sandi commanded their attention by entrancing them with transporting tales. She gave the finest renditions of folktales from Africa—especially about that trickster spider, Anansi.”
Sandi believed in illuminating the unique aspects of cultures around the globe while celebrating how much humans have in common. From its very beginning, Catherine adds, “Sandi was a bright light for the Bishop Walker School.”
2023–24 Governing Board
2023–24 Advisory Committee
Auxiliary Council
Thank you!
Volunteers
Thank you to so many who have generously given their time, energy, and talents, ensuring that our students learn in a warm and stimulating environment.We especially want to thank our parents and community volunteers who participate in various projects throughout the year. Your role is critical to the success and continued growth of our community.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Susan Crutchington
Heather Florance
Anne Forster
Olivia Hilton
Catherine Marquardt
Barbara Ochmanek
Margie Ware
LUNCH BUDDIES
William Byrd
Oliver Harris
Vernon Holleman
Jeremiah Myers
James Tyree
Bailey Williams
Ways to Give
As a tuition-free independent school, BWS relies entirely on philanthropic support. To fulfill our mission of offering an independent education to boys east of the Anacostia River, our governing board determined that the inability to pay tuition should not be a barrier to attendance.
For information on planned giving, stock transfers, or wire transfers, please contact: Eva Headley, Development Manager 202-678-1515 eheadley@bishopwalkerschool.org
Gifts can be made by check mailed to the school or by credit card online at: www.bishopwalkerschool.org/onlinegiving
Bishop John T. Walker school for boys
1801 MISSISSIPPI AVENUE SE
WASHINGTON, DC 20020
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