Washington, D.C. — October 23, 2024 — The Washington School for Girls (WSG) is proud to announce a $3.5 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. This transformative investment will propel the school’s mission to support and educate girls in Southeast Washington, D.C., providing essential resources to enhance both academic opportunities and the physical infrastructure of the school.

Of the total grant, $1 million will be allocated directly to student scholarships, ensuring that more students can access the life-changing education offered at WSG. These funds will help remove financial barriers for girls from the surrounding communities, allowing them to thrive academically and personally.

The remaining $2.5 million will support WSG’s ambitious Capital Campaign, “Building Dreams,” a project designed to unify the school’s two existing campuses. The campaign will create a state-of-the-art, 32,000-square-foot facility at THEARC that will centralize operations and expand opportunities for the school’s students. This new campus will foster a sense of community, enhance collaboration, and offer students access to improved resources, including modern classrooms, STEM labs, and spaces for arts and physical education.

“The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation has been a steadfast leader in expanding educational access. We are grateful that the Foundation saw the immeasurable potential of our girls, and have significantly invested in their present and future learning,” said Beth Reaves, President of the Washington School for Girls. “This transformative investment will not only provide immediate support to our students but also help us realize our long-term vision for a unified campus that better serves our girls and the broader community.”

“My father, A. James Clark, believed in making high-quality education accessible and affordable,” said Courtney Clark Pastrick, Board Chair of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “The Clark Foundation is proud to carry on that legacy today by investing in the Washington School for Girls as they provide exceptional academics and a supportive environment for girls to achieve their fullest potential.”

The Washington School for Girls has long been a pillar of educational excellence, serving girls in grades 3-8 with a focus on academic achievement, leadership development, and social-emotional learning. The support from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation marks a significant milestone in WSG’s journey to build brighter futures for the girls it serves.

About the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation partners with organizations to strengthen their ability to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and communities they serve. In keeping with Mr. Clark’s desire to spend down within a decade and maximize the impact of this funding, the Clark Foundation established its current philanthropic model in 2016. The Foundation focuses its philanthropy in three strategic areas: educating future engineering leaders, improving the lives of veterans and their families, and providing members of the DC community the best opportunity to thrive. To learn more, visit: clarkfoundationdc.org.  

About the Washington School for Girls

Founded in 1997, the Washington School for Girls is an all-scholarship, independent Catholic school located in Southeast Washington, D.C. WSG ignites the joyful pursuit of learning and inspires lives of faith-filled purpose, leadership, and service by offering a holistic and challenging educational program in a nurturing environment that recognizes the potential of each student.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Lina Permut
Chief Development Officer
Washington School for Girls
Phone: 301-404-7014
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://washingtonschoolforgirls.org/building-dreams/