Posts by WSG
Leaning on Community
Finding a dedicated, passionate, and qualified person who also fits is essential when looking to fill a teaching role at the Washington School for Girls. Finding the right teacher can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack because we have a unique educational philosophy and mission. It has challenged WSG to think about creative partnerships to fulfill these very important roles. One of these great partnerships has been The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)… READ MORE
Read MoreA House Full of Sisters
A big part of our school culture is our House system, which we expanded across both campuses this year. Students were recently sorted into one of three houses: Ausdauer (German for perseverance), Confianza (Spanish for confidence) and Imani (Swahili for faith). Throughout the year, students gather in their mixed-grade houses for a variety of activities that will build sisterhood and friendship within the community. From healthy competitions to collaborative projects, Houses offer a place beyond the classroom for students to… READ MORE
Read MoreNew Year, New Joy
Earlier this week, WSG returned to campus for the 2023-2024 school year! We were thrilled to see new and returning students. As is WSG tradition, teachers, staff, and volunteers were on hand to cheer as our girls walked through the front door for the first day. Thank you to our friends from Alpha Kappa Alpha (Beta Upsilon Omega Chapter), the American Petroleum Institute, Carr Companies, DC United, the Ms. Full-Figured DMV Pageant, and WSG Board and Auxiliary Board members for… READ MORE
Read MoreCongratulations, Class of 2023!
On June 9 we celebrated our newest WSG alumnae, the Class of 2023, in our traditional promotion ceremony. After years of modified ceremonies, we were so thrilled to experience this rite of passage together with our whole community. The promotion marked the end of their WSG journey but the beginning of their new chapters of lifelong learning. We look forward to how they will impact the world as both WSG alumnae and courageous women. This year we welcomed Danita Johnson, President… READ MORE
Read MoreJoyful Educators, Successful Students: Supporting Teacher Growth
Studies show time and again that teacher experience and instructional quality are among the most important factors in student success. So how can schools make sure that teachers are satisfied, energized, and prepared to guide students in their pursuit of learning? Attracting and cultivating phenomenal teachers is central to the work of school leadership. We have a strong philosophy about education shaped by our 25+ years of experience educating girls in Washington. We look for educators who share our vision,… READ MORE
Read MoreHome on the Chesapeake Bay
Every year, the Washington School for Girls 7th grade makes the trek across the Bay Bridge and down the coastline of the Eastern Shore for a three-day stay at the Karen Noonan Memorial Environmental Education Center (KNC). Run by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the KNC is home to residential environmental programs focused on the ecology of the bay, including the nearby Hooper Strait Sanctuary (protected oyster habitat) and the marshlands that surround the Center. Over the course of the trip… READ MORE
Read MoreWSG Class of 2019 Decisions: College Bound
When the Class of 2019 was promoted to high school nearly four years ago, they charted their own new paths. They enrolled at a variety of schools: from Catholic schools like Archbishop Carroll High School, Bishop McNamara High School, Bishop O’Connell High School, and Elizabeth Seton High School, and independent boarding schools like Episcopal High School, to specialized programs like Duke Ellington School for the Arts and Prince George’s Community College Academy of Science and Technology (a dual enrollment program).… READ MORE
Read MoreA Reptile in Her Hands: Confidence and Experiential Learning
At the Washington School for Girls, we value experiential learning and the opportunity for students to be active participants in the classroom. When we adopted the balanced calendar model over seven years ago, we created two weeks of additional experiential learning time called “Intersession” which takes place one week at a time before our fall and spring breaks. At the end of March, students participated in a week full of field trips, outdoor activities, and collaborative learning. Students went on… READ MORE
Read MoreCelebrating 25 Years of Sisterhood: Founders Day 2023
On April 13, our school community joined together to celebrate Founders Day and the legacy of the women whose lives inspire our school. This was a special year as we marked 25 years of sisterhood. WSG was founded in 1997 as an after school program, which quickly evolved into a full academic program beginning in the 1998-99 school year. The founders hailed from three organizations: the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the Religious of Jesus and Mary (RJM), and… READ MORE
Read MoreIn Memoriam: Kelley M. Lockard
Our school is devastated by the loss of Kelley Lockard. Ms. Lockard was a dedicated educator at WSG for 17 years, making her among the longest-serving staff members in the history of the school. She started her tenure as a beloved Math teacher before moving into school leadership and eventually becoming Principal. As a leader, Ms. Lockard was instrumental in developing many of the programs that are now a hallmark of our school: she was an early and enthusiastic advocate… READ MORE
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