(Washington, DC) – Today, the Bowser Administration celebrated the first day of pre-K at DC Public Schools (DCPS) at the newly modernized Garfield Elementary School in Ward 8, which recently underwent a $60.5 million renovation. The revitalization transformed the interior of the historic building while preserving its distinctive character and external features. The upgraded facility, focused on sustainability, includes Ward 8’s first DCPS “teaching kitchen” and showcases public art throughout its interior and exterior.
“Today is a big day for our families and littlest learners as they begin their school journeys. I’m proud to be the mayor of a city that offers free pre-K, and we’re proud that it’s not just free – it’s high quality,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Our commitment to public education not only includes the creation of beautiful buildings for our students, but also investing in the world-class educators who teach in our schools, including in our pre-K classrooms.”
Washington, DC has a longstanding reputation as a leader in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and leads the nation in access to pre-K for 3- and 4-year-old children. DCPS is proud to provide free, universal pre-K in a school setting, ensuring that all young learners are ready for kindergarten. Research consistently shows the long-term benefits of pre-K on students’ academic success throughout their educational career. Today, 80% of 3-year-olds and 88% of 4-year-olds are attending pre-K for free, taking advantage of 14,000 slots available across DCPS, public charter schools and community-based organizations.
“Across DCPS, when we open the doors to our pre-K classrooms, we open the gateway to a lifetime of learning. Our scholars' early exposure to quality educational environments sets the stage for their inquisitiveness, creativity, and confidence,” said Chancellor Ferebee. “With the unwavering support of our city's leadership and the invaluable partnership of our families, our district is resourced and positioned to ensure our youngest learners’ success in kindergarten and beyond.”
Garfield Elementary School serves students in pre-K3 through fifth grade, and will now join the growing list of DCPS schools that have child care centers for infants and toddlers 0-3 co-located at schools in partnership with community-based organizations. Child development centers located in DCPS elementary schools offer a coordinated and supported transition between infant and toddler programming and pre-K. Since 2020, the Bowser Administration has also opened the Stevens Early Learning Center in Ward 2, the Military Road Early Learning Center in Ward 4, and the Randle Highlands Early Learning Center in Ward 7. Earlier this week, the Mayor cut the ribbon on the new Miner Elementary School ECE Center, and Miner will also have a child care center.
“As we enter the first days and weeks of school, it has been a joy to see students, teachers, and staff react to their new facilities,” said DGS Director Delano Hunter. “DGS was proud to deliver this $60.5 million modernization of Garfield Elementary School – including adapting the historic 1950s portion of the original building to accommodate a childhood development center, as well as installing one of Ward 8’s first fully equipped teaching kitchens.”
Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, the District has invested over $100 million to expand ECE opportunities – further growing the supply and expanding options to high quality child care options for families, helping providers maintain and grow their businesses and supporting early childhood educators to create thriving careers in ECE.
Through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the District is also supporting more families to access care through the DC Child Care Subsidy Program, which helps low- and moderate-income families pay for the cost of child care. In October, OSSE expanded the income eligibility threshold for DC families to 300% of the federal poverty level to allow more DC families to access the program.
Most recently, in the spring, OSSE launched the Apprenticeship in Teaching program to provide a free pathway for paraprofessionals and high school graduates to become certified teachers in DC’s high-demand subject areas, including in early childhood. In the 2024-25 school year, 50 apprentices are serving across DCPS and public charter schools.
To celebrate the start of the school year, the District is hosting a series of events, including Afterschool in the City on Saturday, September 7, and the annual DCPS Back to School Block Party on Saturday, September 14. Families looking for more information on back-to-school events and resources can visit backtoschool.dc.gov.
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