DC Students Speak Out Against Graduation Rates

Last Wednesday, I took a few of my program's students to participate in a march and rally organized by S.T.E.P. (Success Through Educational Progress) Up DC. The rally was formed to speak out against the devastating high school graduation rates in the nations capital.

In 2006, the DC public school graduation rate from high school was 49%. The good news, however, is that the number of students graduating high school in the District is rising. The DC Public School system reports that the class of 2010 will have a graduation rate of over 70%, same as the national average. Thought presently, only 9% of DC public school students will receive a four-year degree in six years or less.

It was inspiring to see my students participate in speaking out at such an important cause with many DC students and teachers. We gathered in front of Cardozo High School in Northwest Washington for a rally; then we marched to to the campus of Howard University, which is a prominent historically black college not far from where my JVC community and I live. At my placement, 100% of our students graduate high school on time and 100% of the students have been accepted to a post-secondary institution.

Special West Wing Tour

My housemates Lauren, Laura, Andrew, and I were fortunate enough to get a tour of the West Wing of the White House last night. Our neighbor, Patrick, worked for the Obama campaign and has been working for the Administration since inauguration. We were able to see the Situation Room, the Oval Office, the Roosevelt Room, and the Press Room.

One highlight of the visit was the sighting of the first family's dog, Bo (quick photo taken with my housemate Andrew below). A very memorable tour on a beautiful night in DC.


This weekend my community and I will be joining other JVC East Communities on the Ignatian Silent Retreat in Morristown, NJ.