Anacostia High School


Anacostia High School is a public high school located in the Southeast quadrant of the District of Columbia.

Formation

In August 2009, Friendship Public Charter School became a partner with DC Public Schools to manage the high school. As a result, the school became known as the Academies at Anacostia and was split into four separate academies. In 2009-10, there were two ninth-grade academies, one 10-12th grade academy and one academy for under-credited and overage students. In 2010-11, the two ninth-grade academies will become 9-10th grade academies, while the larger 10-12th grade academy will become 11-12th. Matthew Henson academy will stay intact. In 2011-12, Sojourner Truth and Charles Drew will expand to become 9-11th grades, while Frederick Douglass will only be seniors. In 2012-13, Sojourner Truth and Charles Drew will be fully operational 9-12th grade academies, and Frederick Douglass will no longer exist.
This setup is based on the Small Learning Community model.
Built in 1935 with subsequent additions in the 1940s, 50s and 70s, the 247,000 sf Anacostia High School was in desperate need of a complete renovation and modernization that would not only bring the school up to the highest educational standards, but would also serve to transform the school building into a simple, understated canvas for the art and lives of its students. Architectural design firm Sorg Architects designed the renovation of Anacostia High School to restore the exterior of the original building steeped in sustainable design practice.

Notable alumni

On June 11, 2010, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama gave the commencement address to the Class of 2010.