News & Events
Open House Captivates Parents & Prospective Students
On February 28 2009, Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School (WMST PCHS) opened its doors to more than 250 parents and prospective students for a Saturday open house. “This was a great day in true WMST fashion,” commented Mark Holbrook, Head of School.
“We always try to present our best, no matter what, “ he continued, “and this event shows that we are producing some amazing young men and women.”
WMST showcased its student body, faculty, curriculum, and extracurricular activities to prospective ninth graders and their parents. According to Holbrook, there are 110 slots available for incoming ninth graders. During the Open House, a number of parents requested applications and completed them on the spot.
Prospective students represented Capitol Hill Day School, Howard Road Academy Public Charter School, KIPP DC Key Academy and AIM Academy, and Paul Public Charter School.
Elena Dobson, WMST’s Managing Director of Operations, organized this year’s Open House.
WMST students showcased their talents in drama, music, dance, oral communications, ROTC, and technology. WMST’s Gospel Choir, Drill Team, Dance Troupe, and Cheerleaders gave stellar performances. In addition, several faculty were on hand to demonstrate differentiated instruction programs for reading and language arts, and innovative technology projects such as podcasts and blogs.
Guests were treated to a delicious catered lunch in the school’s cafeteria.
Local school supporters were also in attendance such as Tamara Lumpkins, deputy director of the DC Public Charter School Board, Fredericka Shaw and Joanne Rutledge, WMST Board members, and several classes of alumni.
Shayla Canty, the valedictorian of WMST’s Class of 1999 – the school’s first graduating class - and a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was awed by the progress of her alma mater. “I like what I see and I’m very impressed with the new building,” she said.
Canty is an Air Force contracting officer at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. She advised current students to “always look for a challenge and push yourself to the limit.”
“Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything, she continued, “and never be afraid to travel…always travel.”
WMST began in 1998 and is accredited by the DC Public Charter Schools Board headed by Thomas Nida. The school received full accreditation from the Middle States Accreditation Association in November 2005. Recently, WMST was named as a “distinguished school” in the District of Columbia by Great Schools.net and Business Week. The school met its AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) targets for the last two school years. WMST is located at 1920 Bladensburg, Road, N.E., Washington, D.C.