More Time on Task:
DC Prep students spend approximately 25% more time in school than other DC public school students.
- All campuses open at 7:30 for breakfast.
- Elementary campus students attend school from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM with optional after-care until 6:00 PM.
- At the middle campus, all 4th graders, new 5th graders, and students receiving tutoring or participating in Homework Center attend school from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. All other middle school students are in school from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Students are assigned nightly homework: elementary school homework is introduced in a graduated sequence from the earliest years through 3rd grade; middle schoolers receive two hours of homework each evening.
- Teachers are on call every evening until 8:00 to assist students with homework questions and challenges.
Standards-Based Instruction:
DC Prep uses DC's high-quality standards as the centerpiece of its instruction.
- Curriculum maps aligned with DC standards guide instruction at the middle school.
- The elementary school uses DC standards as a base and has expanded upon them and enhanced the early childhood standards significantly.
Research-Based Curricula:
DC Prep employs curricula that have proven success with similar populations of students.
- OWL (Opening the World of Learning) and Big Math for Little Kids are used in the early childhood program.
- The ELA program uses a balanced literacy approach: Literacy by Design for students in K – 3, and Reader's and Writer's Workshop for students at the middle campus.
- Everyday Math and TAI comprise the elementary school curriculum. Saxon Math and Connected Math are used at the middle school;
Targeted Support:
DC Prep provides a program of intensive academic support for students who enter school significantly below grade level or who have special learning needs.
- An individualized academic intervention program is designed to ensure that every students is being taught at the appropriate level.
- Waterford Early Learning, Direct Instruction, and Wilson Reading are used to support students who are significantly behind grade level in reading.
- Two teachers in each Preschool – Pre-K classroom ensure small group learning for the youngest students.
- A daily hour-long Prep Session at the middle campus enables students to work with a small group of peers and focus on areas of specific interest or need.
Horizon-broadening Activities:
Students are exposed to a broad range of cultural and athletic activities across the grades.
- Elementary school students regularly participate in Art, Music, and Physical Education led by teachers specializing in these subjects.
- Junior Academy students (4th, 5th, and 6th graders) also participate in Music, Art, and Physical Education classes.
- Students in the early childhood and elementary programs receive 20 minutes of Spanish instruction daily.
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