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“Pump, pump, pump it up! Pump, pump, pump it up!” As I walked through the doors of Benning Elementary School on Friday morning, I could feel the hallways echoing with energy as the “DC Preppies” chanted their morning spirit songs. The school elicits a vibrant energy that transcends lesson plans and instead demonstrates a structured enthusiasm for learning. Located in Ward 7, where over half of the public school students attend charters, DC Prep is the highest-performing network of charters in DC.

In order to fuse together developing character and becoming academic scholars, the schools operate under a “warm-strict” model that ensures stringent rules and enthusiastic learning. With their hands folded and their eyes on the instructor, students were very aware of what was expected of them and were mindful of the proper way to sit, speak, and react to both peers and instructors. Despite seemingly choreographed moves and positions, learning in these rooms seemed genuinely fun and exciting as well. Classrooms had songs and dances that related to the curriculum, and there was a very clear focus on team involvement and peer motivation. At the end of a middle school class that I sat in on, students had the opportunity to nominate other hard-working peers for a “hard work and grit” award to recognize their efforts. One student shot her hand up and complimented her partner on catching up with the material even after missing a day of school, when she could have easily fallen behind. These little acts of enthusiasm demonstrate the focus on high standards of student appreciation and unparalleled teamwork.

Not only are the students held to high standards, the school leaders are also very aware of their own expectations. One of the aspects I found the most unique about DC Prep was the implementation of “LEAD”: a program in which future teachers watch leaders in action, instead of simply attending meetings. DC Prep looked into data on teacher performance and realized that they needed to hire internally, to reach leaders who were familiar with the DC Prep culture. They have created a system of distinct roles that allocate various responsibilities across different staff members. In this way, teachers can flourish where they can apply their strengths best without creating mass-competition.

The entire learning environment is research driven and student-centered. Students are “friends” and every classroom works together as a regimented team. In a ward where 40% of children are living in poverty, DC Prep has created an expanding system of schools that operate well and show that multiple schools can provide high quality public educations. With an expanding population and scores that outperform the city’s averages, DC Prep relies on an unapologetic focus on academics by ensuring that every moment is dedicated to learning.

Brett Swanson, CER Intern