One of the best parts of my job is that I get to visit our schools and see the many fantastic things happening inside them. Last school year, I saw the joy of our second graders as they celebrated learning how to ride a bike. I visited a fifth grade class for Career Day where our young people asked me insightful questions about DC and my job. I cooked with elementary school students, celebrated our teacher of the year, read “Paddington” with our young learners, and watched high school students train for high-demand jobs.

During each school visit, one thing was the same—our students were engaged, they were curious, and they were surrounded by teachers and adults who are passionate about their work and the very best at what they do.  

Like so many families in DC, I am proud that our schools are places of love, joy, and opportunity. We know this is why for the past two years, enrollment in our public schools has increased to record levels. 
 
One of the brightest spots of last school year was our Advanced Technical Center (ATC). The ATC is modern vocational learning—a unique blend of high school, college, and workforce training. Last school year, the ATC served almost 200 students from all eight wards, representing 15 public high schools. The students acquired professional skills, earned industry credentials, and gained college credits in high-demand, high-wage careers such as cybersecurity and general nursing. The ATC is a central piece of our efforts to reimagine the high school experience for students; it is also an example of our ongoing commitment to creating programs and experiences that match the needs of our students, our families, and our communities.

As we approach nearly two decades of transforming our public schools into the bright spot that they are today, there is so much progress for our city to look back on and be proud of; and as we look ahead and enter the new school year, there is a lot to be excited about.

Let's make this school year the best one yet!

Sincerely,