District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced today a proposal to transform Roosevelt High School into a new international relations focused school, capitalizing on the opportunities which will become available through the modernization of the school. The new school building will be complete for the 2015-2016 school year and ideas for new school design include dual-language programming, international travel for students, aligned career and technical education (CTE) offerings and enhanced partnerships with the community and institutions of higher education. DCPS is working with the Roosevelt community for insight and support throughout the redesign process.
“When we modernize our schools, we don’t want to just stop at the building. The modernization gives us a chance to take a look at what’s happening inside and outside,” said Chancellor Henderson. “With Roosevelt, Principal Mitchell has helped an increasingly international student body focus academically and we want to put an even stronger focus within the school by creating a comprehensive international relations theme. Our global economy is demanding so much more of our students -- Roosevelt International High School will graduate students prepared to succeed in this competitive environment.”
The programmatic shifts and enhancements would begin in the 2015-2016 school year, when students and staff will move into the modernized building. Details will be finalized following ongoing collaboration and conversations with the Roosevelt community. Currently, the proposal would create multiple pathways to college and career success, including high quality CTE programs in international business and finance and international culinary arts. In addition, the new school design could include an early college program for high-achieving students, which would allow them to take part in a range of early college experiences, like multiple AP courses and dual-credit courses on college campuses that count for DCPS high school credit or college credit.
“The community has shared with us their strong commitment to ensure Roosevelt stays on a path toward success,” said Henderson. “We are excited by the possibilities of this new focus and theme and look forward to working with the Roosevelt community to think through details.”
This new approach for Roosevelt is part of DCPS’ commitment to redesign high schools across the city to ensure all students are prepared for success in college, career and life upon graduation from high school.