It’s February, Black History Month. And Stevens School—a living landmark in our very own ‘backyard’—has been overlooked. Located at 24th and L Street NW, it was built in 1886, (40 years before Black History was coined), and named after Senator Thaddeus Stevens, an abolitionist and U.S. representative. It was the first school for freed slaves in the District and the only such operating school in America.

For the moment, Stevens represents what public schools in the U.S. aspire to be: a tight knit community of parents, teachers, and neighbors that support the education, safety, and well being of its 231 elementary students. Those accolades aside, Stevens successfully promotes racial diversity and provides a safe haven. Both highly valued. Both scarce. These young students are not emotionally branded by exposure to metal detectors prominent throughout District schools.

Stevens Elementary is also the only public elementary school in Foggy Bottom/West End. It proximity to public transportation, the business corridor, and its reputation make it desirable. Tutoring and before/after school programs are in place (and said to be less costly than comparable District counterparts). Above all, the parents – a number are Stevens graduates – are highly involved in their children’s education and the school. All are concerned.

Parents Work to Keep Stevens Open
Despite their efforts, beginning with the public hearing last November and the addition of the unanimous support of ANC-2A, Chancellor Rhee has kept Stevens on the school closure list. A Feb. 5 meeting at a neighborhood law office once again brought parents together with three ANC- 2A commissioners, an architect, and a GW student/tutor at Stevens.

Parents shared their frustration with the city’s lack of response. According to Erica, in their public hearing testimony, concerns were raised. No clarification has ever been received. Bridgette made reference a proposed plan and options developed by the parents to address the missing details for the proposed merger. These were presented to Chancellor Rhee during a private meeting Jan. 10. Again, no response.

Stevens alumnus Bernard, father of a Stevens student, mentioned the letter he was sending to the
Washington Post, discussing how important Stevens was to his own success. He credits the good environment at Stevens for keeping him off the path of gangs and drugs.

Whitney, the GW student at Stevens, said that the experience is great. She had tutored that day, with five others who were there as well, giving the teacher wonderful support. If Steven closes, the tutor program goes, too, along with federal funding which supports her education.

Architect Colleen Gove, a former University of Maryland student presented her award-winning 2006
Stevens School master’s thesis project. For economic purposes, Ms. Gove added a community center and housing, suggesting that one funding possibility was a public private partnership.

Why Close Stevens?
DCPS states the primary reason for Stevens School closure is due to 80% over-capacity.

District schools average 320 square feet (sf) per person, twice the national standard. By closing a number of non-performing schools, the saving from the purportedly huge operations cost can be used to improve facilities and add staff and programs.

While Stevens’ 231- student enrollment is down from 325, DCPS’s “optimal” enrollment size, this was a conscious decision made to enhance learning. At this lesser enrollment, there is a waiting list and with school closures the list will grow. At current enrollment, based on information from a few sources, Stevens averages 175sf per person and at optimum school size, 130sf per person. School density is not an issue.

Toward a World-Class Education System in a World-Class City
High on the Mayor’s agenda is a world-class city. A read of DCPS’s Master Education Plan (MEP) frames the shortcomings of District schools and how DCPS plans to overcome them. Creating this World- Class Education System includes innovative and successful programs, a culture of partnership and collaboration, and many other factors throughout the MEP that Stevens demonstrates today. Stevens is the stuff that world-class cities are made of: education – one student at a time.

Arts and music programs are vital. No question. Commissioner Harmon said that Stevens parents are prepared to raise money to support a teacher. But, merely adding programs through an administrative mandate is not how a school gains the leadership and soul that Stevens demonstrates with its relationships: parental-teacher, community resources, contributions, and good will. Its graduates have become good parents, pillars of the community, successful professionals and leaders within the nation.

In a city of powerful symbols, Stevens is a living, breathing symbol with a heart. Children secure in their environment strive to learn. The community contributes resources and likewise benefits from their participation. Chancellor Rhee’s mandate to close Stevens does not celebrate the institution, its Black History legacy, or the excellence this continuously operating school symbolizes for the District. It neither recognizes Stevens for the momentum it has been gaining and its potential to elevate the District to its coveted stature as a world class city.

Stevens should be the model for other schools. “Don’t break what doesn’t need to be fixed”, Commissioner Malinen said. “The Commissioners of ANC-2A have supported keeping Stevens open from the start. The more I hear, the more I am convinced it should stay open.”

Last Word
If only Stevens were just another old building in the midst of the business quadrant, it could close and most of us would not know the difference. Apparently that is what the administration is counting on. — FBN