(Washington, DC) – Today, DC Public Schools released its new strategic plan that will help shape the next five years for the school district. Under a Capital Commitment 2017-2022, DCPS will strive to become a district of both excellence and equity—a place where every family feels welcome and every child is given the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

“Our vision is for every DCPS student to feel loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence society and thrive in life,” said Chancellor Antwan Wilson. “We will only accomplish this if we dream big and boldly. The priorities and goals outlined in our new strategic plan will help ensure that every school guarantees students reach their full potential through rigorous and joyful learning experiences provided in a nurturing environment.”

Strategic Priorities:

• Promote Equity: DCPS will define, understand, and promote equity so that we eliminate opportunity gaps and systematically interrupt institutional bias.
• Empower our People: DCPS will recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
• Ensure Excellent Schools: DCPS will increase the number of excellent schools throughout the city.
• Educate the Whole Child: DCPS will provide rigorous, joyful, and inclusive academic and social emotional learning experiences to ensure all students are college and career ready.
• Engage Families: DCPS will ensure communication and deepen partnerships with families and the community.

In A Capital Commitment 2017-2022, DCPS set goals that will measure progress toward the new vision, mission, and priorities outlined in the strategic plan.

By 2022, DCPS is getting big goals to:

1. Double College and Career Readiness: Double the percent of students who are college and career ready and triple the percent of at-risk and students of color who are college and career ready.
2. Accelerate Early Literacy: 100 percent of K-2 students are reading on or above grade level.
3. Increase High School Graduation Rate: 85 percent of students graduate within four year and 90 percent graduate within four or five years.
4. Improve Student Experience: 100 percent of students feel loved, challenged, and prepared.
5. Increase Excellent Schools: 100 percent of schools are highly rated or are improving.
6. Increase Enrollment: 90 percent of students re-enroll and DCPS serves 54,000 students.

The new strategic plan follows strong gains on A Capital Commitment 2012-2017 goals, including an increasing high school graduation rate, increased student satisfaction, and growing enrollment. DC Public Schools also remains the fastest-improving urban school district in the country.

Chancellor Antwan Wilson led a citywide engagement campaign for six months and collected valuable feedback from more than 4,500 students, parents, educators, partners, and community members, who shared their experiences from every ward and every school. This input is reflected in new strategic priorities and initiatives, which are the most essential bodies of work that DCPS will pursue over the next five years to drive progress toward its goals.

DCPS encourages families, students, staff, and community members to learn more about the new strategic plan by joining Chancellor Wilson and Mayor Bowser at the DCPS Back To School Block Party on Saturday, September 9 at Ron Brown College Prep High School. Chancellor Wilson will also hold a Twitter Town Hall on Wednesday, September 13 from 1 – 2 pm to answer questions about the new strategic plan. Follow @DCPSChancellor and submit your questions using #AskChantwan.

Read the 2017-2022 Capital Commitment Strategic Plan
Read the 2012-2017 Capital Commitment Strategic Plan

For more information, visit dcps.dc.gov/capitalcommitment, follow @DCPublicSchools on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and use #DCPSRising to see the learning happening at our schools.