Charter schools are public schools, just a different kind. Publicly funded, tuition free and nonsectarian--like traditional public schools--they are open to all D.C. resident children and receive public funds according to how many students they enroll.
Public charter schools have additional freedoms and responsibilities that have enabled them to get ahead of the curve in improving public education in the District. Free to determine their own school policies and programs, charters are held accountable for improving student achievement by D.C.'s Public Charter School Board. Innovations include longer school days and years, more intimate learning environments, and preparing children for college from the earliest age.
Friendship Public Charter School was founded in 1997 and opened its first public charter schools, Chamberlain and Woodridge, in 1998. The following year, Friendship launched two secondary campuses; Blow Pierce Middle and Collegiate Academy High School. Since 1999, Friendship has expanded to add two more charter campuses; Southeast Elementary Academy and Friendship Tech Prep (growing to serve 6th through 12th grade). Please click on the links to the left to learn more about each of our charter schools.