Leckie Education Campus: A Legacy of Learning and Community Engagement
The Leckie Education Campus in Washington, D.C., stands as a testament to the power of community, the importance of STEM education, and the enduring legacy of those who shape young minds. From its early beginnings to its modern facilities, Leckie has consistently strived to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for its students.
A Memorial Rooted in Remembrance
In the wake of tragedy, the Washington Architectural Foundation partnered with the 394 students of M.V. Leckie Elementary School in 2002-2003 to create a living memorial. Forty volunteers worked with students from pre-K through 6th grade, guiding them through studies of Washington D.C.’s memorials and monuments, exploring their meaning, history, and design. This project transformed grief into a productive learning experience, culminating in the creation of a garden memorial.
On April 23, 2003, the entire student body left their mark, embedding their handprints into the freshly poured cement borders of the garden path, symbolizing their active role in the memorial's creation. Just over a week later, on May 2nd, students and volunteers joined forces to plant 2,695 plants, shrubs, and trees, breathing life into the memorial. The project concluded with the completion of the garden's surrounding fence and the placement of memorial plaques, ensuring a lasting tribute. The Memorial is built thanks to the help of Grunley-Walsh Joint Venture; Johnson's Florist and Garden Centers; The Shockey Companies; Mr and Mrs. Len Turner; Phillip G. Yates; James and Kay Davis; Zimmer Gunsul Frasca; Tracy Meeks Jacob; Eddie and Harriett Meeks; Ronald O'Rourke and Mary Fitch; Ruppert I. P.
Expanding Horizons: The Middle School Addition
The commitment to providing a state-of-the-art learning environment is evident in the recent completion of the Leckie Education Campus Middle School Addition. This $20.9 million project, celebrated by Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of General Services, and DC Public Schools, introduced a modern two-story wing designed to enrich the learning experience for middle school students.
Mayor Bowser emphasized the connection between physical resources and educational quality, stating, "Earlier this week, we announced teacher retention is up - and that we're retaining more of our effective and highly effective educators. All of these investments, in our people and in our facilities, go together."
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The Leckie Education Campus improvement also prioritized sustainability and local economic growth. DGS Director Delano Hunter noted that the project exceeded Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) goals, with over 83 percent participation, investing over $17 million into CBEs. Furthermore, nearly half of all labor hours were performed by District residents, demonstrating a commitment to the community.
A key feature of the new addition is a dedicated science room, underscoring DC Public Schools' commitment to STEM education. DC Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee stated, "DCPS is serious about STEM, and I am proud to celebrate the new addition at Leckie Education Campus, which will provide a dedicated science room and inspire thousands of students for years to come." This initiative is part of a broader $3.6 billion investment in school renovations since 2015, spearheaded by Mayor Bowser.
DC SCORES: Cultivating Poet-Athletes at Leckie
Leckie Education Campus is also home to a thriving DC SCORES program, which combines soccer and poetry to empower young people. Middle school poet-athletes at Leckie recently completed a service-learning project in partnership with Design FC, creating a custom soccer jersey that celebrated their school and neighborhood culture. Throughout the season, students collaborated with Design FC staff in after-school sessions to develop design skills and reflect on their experiences. In addition to designing their jersey, the team supported Leckie’s Closet, a free clothing resource for local families.
DC SCORES' impact extends beyond the soccer field and the poetry slam stage. The organization's 30th Anniversary Poetry Anthology showcased the voices of poet-athletes, elevating their work alongside established literary figures. The launch of a fellowship program further supports emerging leaders in youth development, while initiatives like Coach Kickoff, supported by the Adidas Foundation’s United by Sport grant, promote inclusive coaching practices. DC SCORES' partnership with the Washington Spirit and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation strengthens middle school soccer leagues, with a particular focus on increasing girls’ participation.
DC SCORES also holds events like Fall Frenzy, where students recite poems centered on identity, teamwork, and the unifying power of soccer.
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The annual One Night One Goal fundraiser brings together alumni, families, and community leaders to support poet-athletes across the District. The event features performances and auctions, raising funds to sustain DC SCORES' programs.
The organization's poetry slams provide a platform for students to express themselves and share their perspectives on community, identity, and the world around them. Poet-athletes from various elementary schools come together to perform original poems, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of their lives.
A Historical Perspective on DC Public Schools
Understanding the context of Leckie Education Campus requires a look at the history of the Washington DC public school system. The system began in 1804, but it wasn't until 1864 that schools were named after individuals. Prior to that, schools were numbered by level, such as Primary School #1, and buildings were named for their location.
The first school buildings, the Western and Eastern Free Schools, opened in 1806, followed by schools in Georgetown and the County. In 1821, a Lancasterian School was established in Thomas Jefferson's former presidential stable. Despite the construction of four two-room buildings in the 1840s and a two-story brick building in 1857, these remained the only school buildings in the city by 1864.
That year, a significant expansion was authorized, leading to the creation of 30 new schools. This expansion aimed to accommodate black students, the growing post-Civil War population, and more girls, who began attending public school in the 1840s. The first of these new schools was the Wallach School on Capitol Hill.
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The naming conventions of DC public schools have evolved over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was common to name schools after former chief executives of the District of Columbia and former Presidents. However, in the early 20th century, the school board shifted its focus to honoring teachers, principals, superintendents, and school board members.
Individuals Honored Through DC Schools
The following is a list of individuals for whom DC public schools have been named, categorized by present schools, charter schools, and schools that are no longer open.
Present Schools:
- Maude E. Aiton ES - Principal of the Americanization School (1919-1945), President of the NEA Department of Adult Education.
- Enoch Ambush - Educator, church founder and physician in Washington, DC.
- Samuel C. Armstrong Academy - Founder of Hampton University
- Mary McLead Bethune Academy at Lucy D.
- Edward A. Bridges at C. St.
- Septima Clark PCS and Thurgood Marshall PCS at James G.
- St. Coletta PCS - Colette of Corbie was a Franciscan reformer.
- John F. Cook Sr. School - Principal of Union Seminary, a school for free black students (1834-1855).
- William E. Doar Jr. Wedj Edgewood PCS - National Executive Director of Phi Beta Sigma (1949-1979) and father of one of the School's founders.
- Dorothy Celeste Boulding Ferebee -
- Evelyn B. Fletcher-Phillip T. Johnson MS - Teacher - Member of the D.C.
- Alexander Hamilton School - Founding father.
- William Henry Harrison ES -
- Rutherford B. Hayes School -
- Joseph Henry School -
- Barbara Jordan PCS at Louis C.
- Walter Lenox ES - 14th Mayor of the City of Washington (1850-1852).
- Hugh McCormick School - Supervising Principal, 4th District (1845-1851)
- G. Eugene Meyer ES -
- Benjamin Grayson Orr ES - 4th Mayor of the City of Washington (1817-1819). Renamed for Lawrence E. Boone in 2018 because Orr was a slave owner.
- Charles F. Powell School -
- Eliza B. Randall JHS - Principal of the Delaware Avenue School (1867-1874).
- George Harris Richardson ES -
- Marion P. Shadd ES -
- Alice and Ernestine Shaed ES -
- Robert Gould Shaw ES - Commander of the first all-black regiment from the north.
- Abby S. Simmons School - Teacher.
- Henry Smothers ES - Founder of one of the first, and longest operating, schools for black students.
- Richard Wallach School -
- Ruth K. Webb ES -
- Henry Wilson School - Sponsor of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act that ended slavery in DC.
- Woodrow Wilson HS - 28th President of the United States (1913-1921).
Charter Schools:
- Friendship Samuel C. Armstrong Academy - Founder of Hampton University
- Mary McLead Bethune Academy at Lucy D.
- Friendship PCS at John A.
- Septima Clark PCS and Thurgood Marshall PCS at James G.
- Euphemia Lofton Haynes PCS at Eugene A.
- Carlos Rosario (at J.
- Eagle Academy at Gladys K.
- Edward A. Bridges at C. St.
- Colette of Corbie was a Franciscan reformer.
- Friendship PCS at Carter G.
Schools That Are No Longer Open:
- George Jacob Abbott - Educator, diplomat and the private secretary of Daniel Webster.
- Maude E. Aiton - Principal of the Americanization School in Washington, DC from 1918 to 1945.
- Enoch Ambush - Educator, church founder and physician in Washington, DC.
- John A. Chamberlain - Supervisor of Manual Training in the DC School system for nearly 20 years.
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