Dorothy Height ES Modernization
Next SIT Meeting: To Be Announced
Project Overview
Dorothy Height Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Ward 4. In recent history it operated as a charter school, with DCPS taking over operations after the DC Public Charter School Board revoked the school’s charter in 2015. A citywide school, there is no enrollment boundary. The modernization scope will include spaces for serving students from PK3 through 5th grade.
The modernized Dorothy Height building will be roughly 86,000 square feet. The existing building is considered contributing historic academic, and as such it is expected that the historic fabric be retained and enhanced through thoughtful and contextual additions. The school will receive a full modernization to bring it in line with the DCPS educational specifications.
Throughout the building, the modernization will address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Learning, instruction, and support technology will be brought up to cutting edge standards and capacity. Classroom square footage will be expanded/right sized to create an adequate 21st century learning environment and meet the DCPS educational specification standards. The new modernized design shall allow for physical education (gym) and dinning services (cafeteria) to take place simultaneously during the school day. Finally, discovery commons spaces, small group rooms, and resource rooms will be integrated into design to accommodate special projects, collaborative work, and individual pull-out instruction. Given the site constraints, the project team shall evaluate options to expand the existing footprint, while still prioritizing the existing outdoor features: playgrounds, outdoor gardens, and parking.
The modernized facility will serve approximately 558 students. As part of the design process, the design team will work closely with the school leadership, various DCPS Central Office departments, the Dorothy Height Elementary School-specific School Improvement Team (SIT) along with the wider community to better understand community vision and the unique Dorothy Height Elementary School culture.
Project Details
Project Location: 1300 Allison Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Ward: 4
Start Date: Fall 2021
Completion Date: August 2024
DGS PM: Alex Casey
Design-Build Team: GCS Sigal + Grunley (General Contractor), Cox Graae Spack (Architect)
Project Status: Construction Year #2
DCPS Contact: Gabriella Pino-Moreno
Education Specifications (EdSpec): Dorothy Height EdSpec
Project Resources
Letter from DCPS Announcing CIP Update FY23-28
Letter to Dorothy Height ES Community regarding FY22-27 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Update
Meeting Materials
Public Art Panel Meetings
Staff Engagement Playground Meeting
Back-to-School SIT - 09/27/2022
Design Development SIT Meeting
Presentation
SIT Meeting #3 (Schematic Design Presentation and Feedback)
Presentation
SIT Meeting #2 (Concept Presentation and Feedback)
Presentation
SIT Meeting #1 - 01/11/2022
Presentation
Kickoff Community Meeting - 6/01/2021
Project Updates
August 2022
July 2022
February 2022
January 2022