DC Prep has been named a 2022 Cognia™ School System of Distinction for excellence in education. 

Cognia Schools and School Systems of Distinction are those that “effectively implement high-quality instruction, show consistent organizational effectiveness, maintain a commitment to continuous improvement, and demonstrate energetic and sustained commitment to learners.” This honor is bestowed on less than 10% of schools and school systems across the world that Cognia, a global nonprofit accrediting organization, reviewed in SY2021-22.

In our most recent Accreditation Engagement Review, DC Prep earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 387 out of a possible 400 points. The five-year average of institutions in Cognia’s accreditation network is 278-283.

Cognia’s rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process is based on research-based performance standards and includes a third-party review by education experts of evidence, interviews, and classroom observations. The evaluation covers Leadership Capacity, Learning Capacity, and Resource Capacity, as well as a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement. 

“DC Prep is to be commended on their recognition as a School System of Distinction,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “Cognia Accreditation is already a mark of distinction recognized around the world. Being named a School System of Distinction further recognizes the commitment to education quality DC Prep has for its learners.”

On September 16, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced our Benning Elementary Campus (BEC) as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, recognizing BEC as one of the District of Columbia’s exemplary schools. 

The U.S. Department of Education describes National Blue Ribbon Schools as “models of effective school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.” Each year, the District may nominate up to three (3) public or non-public schools for consideration to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Nationwide, a maximum of 420 schools are considered each year.

This is the second time DC Prep has been recognized by the National Blue Ribbon School Program; Edgewood Elementary Campus (EEC) received the award in 2013.

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon School Program, visit their website at https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/. 

Congratulations to our BEC community for this national recognition!