Eastern High School – The Pride Returns to Capitol Hill

Guest author Joe Weedon shares details from this past weekend’s information session at Eastern High.

As a parent of two elementary school kids on Capitol Hill, I’ve been watching the redevelopment of Eastern High School from a distance. While I had heard great things about the re-design of the building, had spoken with the incoming principal, Rachel Skerritt, about her plans for academic programs at the school, and had desperately wanted to believe that we would have one of the city’s best high schools in our own back yard, I remained skeptical — but still wanting to believe everything that was being promised.

I arrived several minutes early for an Information Session at Eastern on Saturday to have the opportunity to explore the school and chat with others looking at Eastern for their families.  As I walked up to the school, it was hard to miss the pride that alumni have in the institution.  One car pulled up with D.C. license plates proclaiming “EASTERN”.  Another individual got out of his car wearing a well-worn baseball cap from his years at the school.  Once inside, I began chatting with an alumni of the school who was there with her granddaughter – whom she hopes will join the Eastern class of 2015.  Soon, a small group of us were escorted past the “Cyber Café” to the West Atrium for a short presentation from the school’s incoming principal.

The atrium had the feel of an outdoor café complete with natural light from the glass roof some four stories above, trees and shrubs growing along the walls, and the echoes of music from the DC Youth Orchestra rehearsal that was taking place in the school’s theater.  As the room filled with approximately 100 prospective students and parents, as well as the random observer such as myself, I couldn’t help but see students sitting around small tables studying, watching their classmates performing on the small stage or milling about during an intermission at a school play.

Ms.Skerrit, Eastern High’s incoming principal, brings considerable experience to Eastern Senior High School.  She spent seven years as an English Literature teacher in a Boston public high school.  She then became a principal at a college-preparatory school before moving to a central office roll as the Chief of Staff for Boston Public Schools.  After being selected to become Eastern’s new principal last fall, she moved to Washington, D.C. and now makes her home on Capitol Hill.

Principal Skerritt stressed the importance of academics and her belief that strong academics are central in preparing all students for success in college and in life. The academic curriculum being implemented at Eastern will be shaped by the common core standards that are being adopted by DCPS and by states across the nation.  The curriculum features numerous advanced placement classes, at least eight are currently planned, and IB courses (the school has begun the process of obtaining IB certification but cannot yet promise to offer an IB diploma) for the upper grades. All students will have access to courses in health and medical sciences and law and public policy through innovated Academies. All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology.

Beginning in their Freshman year, all students will participate in the ‘College and Career Advisory’ where they will meet with teachers and counselors to discuss options for internships and community service opportunities, ways to improve study habits, as well as beginning to think about applying for college or entering the workforce after graduation.  Freshmen at Eastern will complete eight credits towards graduation, more than any other high school in DC, freeing them to pursue specialized and advanced course offerings later in their high school careers.

Athletics and extracurricular activities will also be available to all students in newly remodeled facilities. Building upon the tradition of the Ramblers athletics, there are plans to offer at least four team sports immediately with incoming students having the opportunity to help the administration plan and launch additional Rambler athletic teams. Non-athlete students will have the opportunity to utilize the athletic venues at the school. During the renovation process, a press box was added to the gymnasium where students will be able to gain first hand experience covering and reporting on games.

The school plans to offer numerous clubs and organizations including a newspaper, drama club and debate team.  Proposed partnerships with local theater groups will help ensure the drama club, and the community, get the most out of a fully renovated auditorium seating 1000 and fully equipped spaces for set and costume design.  From the music room, which is complete with a state of the art recording studio where students can record audition tapes for college admissions, the Blue and White Marching Machine, which has preformed at three presidential inaugurations, and Youth Choir will continue to fill the school and community with music.  Additionally, the DC Youth Orchestra, which was recently relocated to Eastern, offers free lessons every Saturday for all Eastern students.

In touring the beautifully renovated facilities at Eastern, over the hum of the orchestra’s rehearsal, it was difficult to not imagine students busily preparing for the next concert or play.  I could see students rushing through the halls between classes, studying in the courtyard or meeting their counselor in the Cyber Cafes for a quick chat about college admissions essays or a possible internship.  I could imagine my children lacing up their cleats before heading outside to baseball practice.

More importantly, I could not help but feel confident that the re-launch of Eastern means that we have a school in our back yard that will prepare each of its graduates for success in college and in life.  I came away convinced.  Eastern  will once again be the Pride of Capitol Hill.  And, it may well become the Pride of Washington, D.C. As families, as Ms. Skerritt put it, “do their important shopping” for schools over the next few weeks, I urge you to look at Eastern Senior High School.

For more information about Eastern Senior High School, email incoming Principal Rachel Skerritt, call her at 202/939-5299 or visit them on Facebook.

All current eighth grade students living within Eastern’s boundary or attending one of its feeder middles schools (Eliot-Hine Middles School, Jefferson Middle School, and Stuart-Hobson Middle School) are guaranteed a seat in the freshman class and must only complete the annual DC Public Schools enrollment and residency forms in April.  All other students and families who would like to join the Eastern community must participate in the DC Public Schools Out-of-Boundary Lottery between January 28, 2011 and February 28, 2011.  More information on this process can be found on the DCPS website.

About the Author:

Joe Weedon has made Capitol Hill his home for nearly 8 years.  A political junkie, he has spent most of the past decade working as an organizer and advocate for reforms to our nation’s education and criminal justice systems.  He has two young children at Maury Elementary School and serves on the school PTA’s Middle School Committee.  He is an appointed member of the District of Columbia State Title I Committee of Practitioners.