(Washington, DC) – Mayor Bowser today cut the ribbon at the newly-modernized MacFarland Dual Language Middle School, DCPS’ only dual language middle school, in Ward 4. At the ribbon cutting, the Mayor Bowser announced the awarding of more than $8.2 million in grants to community based organizations providing afterschool and out-of-school time programming for District youth.
“I am proud to share with our young people and their families that we have made more than $15 million in increased investments for out-of-school time opportunities across the city,” said Mayor Bowser. “Today, I am excited to announce the awardees for $8.2 million in grants, and that includes benefits right here at MacFarland. In addition to a beautiful new school, we will have afterschool programming so that students have positive and engaging experiences when they are outside of their normal classes.”
MacFarland Middle School is a Title I school providing a supportive environment that prepares and empowers every student to succeed at the collegiate and career level, with a focus on contributing to a global society. The $63 million dollar investment in new construction and renovations at MacFarland now provides the students and families in Ward 4 a conducive environment for strong academics and extracurricular activities that support the community of Ward 4, and children from across DC.
In 2016, MacFarland reopened as a dual-language middle school with a sixth grade dual-language program. In the 2018-2019 school year, MacFarland is welcoming their first sixth grade (non-dual-language program) comprehensive class and is expanding its school to the eighth grade. Since 2015, the Bowser Administration has modernized 14 schools, including MacFarland and five other schools opening in the fall of 2018.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Bowser announced the awardees of more than $8.2 million to community based organizations serving District youth. Six grantees received almost $2 million in 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grants administered by OSSE. The 21st CCLC supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities outside of school for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The new 21st CCLC grant recipients will establish or expand community learning centers to provide academic enrichment to DC students over the next three years, beginning in the 2019 Fiscal Year. Successful grantees proposed a diverse range of enrichment activities, including arts, dance, athletics, team-building, mentoring, and civic engagement.
The remaining 80 grantees received nearly $6.2 million Out of School Time grants, administered by the Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes (OST Office) located under the supervision of the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME). DC Scores and Global Kids are two grant recipients that offer afterschool programming at MacFarland Middle School. In 2018, Mayor Bowser launched Learn24, an initiative focused on ensuring all students have access to safe places to learn and discover their passions and interests beyond the regular school day. For more information on afterschool and out of school time programs for youth ages 5-21, please visit Learn24.dc.gov.