In a city where public charter schools and the public school system have often been at bitter odds with each other, David Domenici not only navigated the bureaucracy of the DC Public Schools (DCPS) but has created an innovative partnership with them that benefits both-and hundreds of kids across the city.
Domenici, Executive Director of the See Forever Foundation (SFF), believed that he and his team could educate the toughest children in the city-those who had failed in or dropped out of traditional large comprehensive high schools or had run-ins with the legal system. The Maya Angelou Public Charter School (MAPCS), co-founded by Domenici and James Forman in 1998, had tremendous success in helping educate these same types of students, with more than 70% of MACPS graduates going on to college, a remarkable statistic considering that the majority often arrive at the school reading at the fifth grade level.
As part of its work with Venture Philanthropy Partners, See Forever developed an ambitious growth plan that called for $40 million in expansion that would enable this program to reach more at risk students who need it. There were many alternatives available to achieve that growth, but Domenici and Forman believed that forging a partnership with DCPS was the best option. One of the biggest challenges for charter schools is finding appropriate facilities. DCPS was an attractive partner because it had a portfolio of empty schools that it was no longer using. In addition, a partnership with DCPS would enable more teachers and students to be aware of an alternative high school and would bring additional resources to MAPCS. The challenge was figuring out how to forge a partnership with DCPS in the adversarial climate that existed between public charter schools and the public school systems. In September 2004, they accomplished their goal, opening a new campus at the site of the former Evans Middle School in Southeast Washington.
A Win-Win For Everyone
This partnership created a collaborative educational venture that leverages the unique assets of both partners. The MAPCS offers a tailored and successful curriculum, staffing pattern and training, and extra services such as psychological counseling, college preparation, and extended hours. Its program at the Evans campus operates as a charter school, receiving basic funding through the uniform per-pupil formula allotment received by MAPCS. See Forever Foundation, the parent organization to MAPCS, provides supplemental funding and technical assistance.
Because MAPCS agreed to focus on serving students from four high schools and communities that DCPS identified, DCPS provided space for the Evans campus thus providing See Forever significant savings. The cost to build an appropriate facility of 40,000 square feet would have been $9.6 million. Freedom from a large mortgage payment means that See Forever does not have to raise large sums to cover building expenses and can direct more dollars to addressing the educational needs of more children. Students are able to participate in athletic, extracurricular, and academic programs at other DCPS campuses as appropriate to their needs and interests. These are opportunities and supports not available to any other charter school students in the city. The partnership also includes an innovative mechanism to ensure that the building is well-maintained, while reserving as much direct funding to student services as possible.
Leverage
The marriage between MAPCS and DCPS creates an alternative high school for students who need it. As a result, enrollment at the Evans Campus has grown as has student performance. But beyond its direct educational benefits, the partnership also paves the way for more innovative educational solutions in the District. In fact, additional partnerships are being explored between DCPS and public charter schools designed for students with other specific needs that could best be served through this collaborative approach and process.
The new venture has also attracted private support. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Walton Foundation, as well as Venture Philanthropy Partners have each committed substantial funding, with The Gates Foundation committing support of nearly $1 million in funding to the new venture.
