OUR TALENT PHILOSOPHY

A True Learning Organization

Nothing matters more than the teacher in the classroom.

At DC Prep, we believe in the value of cultivating great talent. Our adult learning philosophy parallels our student learning philosophy: every member of our DC Prep community is always learning, improving, and modeling a growth mindset in all that we do. It’s why we incorporate over 300 hours of robust, tailored professional development throughout the school year, focusing not only on technical skill development but also on the adaptive skills teachers need to support students in navigating an increasingly complex world. Our teachers have the opportunity to strengthen their content knowledge; repeatedly apply and refine their knowledge and skills; and observe, interact with, and learn from mentors who are experts at their craft. Quarterly “Data Days” allow our faculty the time and space to reflect on growth from the past quarter and develop strategies for the next quarter to facilitate student achievement.

Our coaching model—in which each of our teachers is individually coached by a member of the campus leadership team—is the hallmark of our professional development practice, and is lauded by our accrediting agency as innovative and successful. Guided by our coaching rubrics for culture, instruction, and school community, teachers receive written, actionable feedback from their coach every month.

“ I was very green when I started here. Through their coaching model, DC Prep is responsible for all of my growth as a teacher. And after being at other schools, I believe that DC Prep has a level of support for both teachers and students that makes this place a better environment for learning than most other schools in the city.” Rich Myers (6th-grade math teacher; 8 years at DC Prep)

“ I work at DC Prep because I value excellence.” Aasiya Spann (Community Assistant Principal; 5 years at DC Prep)

“ People who worked with me early on said that I had a lot of potential, but I didn’t have the guidance to hone it. DC Prep provided the structure that I needed to develop as a teacher.” Gary Nelson (6th-grade Special Education math teacher; 8 years at DC Prep)

All Adults for All Kids

Our teachers are able to find their professional “home” here at DC Prep because we take great care in building a team of smart, values-aligned colleagues that get results.

We Know It Works

• For nearly a decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DC Prep was the highest-performing network of public charter schools based on citywide assessment results

• Two of our schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools

• Three of our schools have been named EmpowerK12 Bold Performance Schools

• Both of our middle schools open in 2019 were named by the D.C. Policy Center as “leveler” schools (schools that are exceptionally good at enabling at-risk students to succeed academically)

• 100% of graduates have been accepted to college-prep high schools