THE DC PREP PROGRAM MODEL

The DC Prep Way

Here at DC Prep, we set the bar high for rigorous instruction and academic achievement. We know what students need to be prepared for the rigors of collegeprep high schools and beyond, and our self-developed curriculum—based on high-quality, research-based educational standards—is designed to do just that. We use the Response to Intervention (RTI) model to closely monitor student process and provide layers of tailored support, ensuring that every student is successfully able to access and engage with instructional content on an ongoing basis.

Rigorous academics and social-emotional education are the twin pillars upon which DC Prep’s educational model is built; they are—and have always been—at the heart of all we do.

Our social-emotional curriculum is centered around our five Core Prep Competencies. Adopted from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), these five competencies anchor the work we do in classrooms toward development of each student’s socialemotional skills.

Preppies practice these Core Prep Competencies throughout the day, in social-emotional spaces like Advisory and Community Meetings as well as during instructional time.

Donita Washington first learned about DC Prep when she overheard a coworker talking about their nephew, who was a Preppie. “I visited Edgewood Elementary Campus and the principal showed me the curriculum and took me around the school,” Donita recalled. “I told my husband: they’ve got to come here.” She enrolled her three sons—Julian, Jeremy, and Jayden—as soon as she could. Today, Julian and Jeremy have graduated from DC Prep and both attend Gonzaga College High School; Julian, a junior at Gonzaga, is taking Advanced Placement classes and tutoring other students. Her youngest, Jayden, is in fifth grade at Edgewood Middle Campus and reading on a seventh-grade level.

“I have so much gratitude for DC Prep,” Donita said. “If you want a good education for your child, DC Prep is the place to send them. My three boys are total examples of what you can get. DC Prep makes sure your children are prepared for their journey in life: high school, college, and wherever they choose to go beyond that.” social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

Our 5 Core Prep Competencies

Self-Awareness: The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”

Self-Management: The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations—effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.

Social Awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand

Relationship Skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed.

Responsible Decision-Making: The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others.