Celebrating Summer Charter School Graduates
Earlier this month, the DC Charter School Alliance and our friends at the DC Public Charter School Board hosted a joyous summer public charter school graduation ceremony we like to call “Rainbow Graduation.” This special annual ceremony celebrates DC public charter school students’ resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to their education.
This year's ceremony, which took place at Capital Turnaround, featured graduates from seven DC schools: Friendship Collegiate Academy PCS, Girls Global Academy PCS, IDEA PCS, KIPP DC College Preparatory PCS, Paul PCS, Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS, and Washington Leadership Academy PCS. Graduates gathered with their families and friends to mark this incredible milestone as they move on to their next chapters.
Left: Students from Washington Leadership Academy celebrate following the ceremony.
Right: Educators and leaders from DC's public charter school sector applaud the graduates.
Ariel Johnson, Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance, kicked things off and emceed the ceremony. A congratulatory message from Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell, interim state superintendent at OSSE and a proud native Washingtonian, set the tone for a ceremony centered on hope and the boundless potential of each new graduate.
Student speaker Tamiya Walker from IDEA PCS shared her personal journey and her aspirations for the future: “I know that completing this milestone is just the beginning of my bright future, as a nurse or as the most amazing real estate agent.”
Angel Gregorio, Founder & Owner of DC’s The Spice Suite, rounded things out with an empowering commencement address. Her powerful words served as a reminder that each graduate possesses the tools needed to overcome adversity and achieve success. "Life will throw you challenges, but you have the strength and knowledge and resilience to overcome them—you know that already."
Left: Ariel Johnson, Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance, applauds the graduates alongside educators and leaders from DC's public charter school sector.
Right: Rainbow Graduation speakers (L-R) Shantelle Wright, DCPCSB board member; Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell, Interim State Superintendent at OSSE; and Angel Gregorio, Founder & Owner of The Spice Suite.
Graduates received congratulatory messages and letters emphasizing the D.C. community’s recognition of their achievements from D.C. Council members Robert White (D-At large), Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), Christina Henderson (I-At large), Matthew Frumin (D-Ward 3), Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large), and Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7), as well as D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D).
D.C. State Board of Education Representatives Jacque Patterson (At-large) and Eboni-Rose Thompson (Ward 7), as well as Dr. Michelle J. Walker-Davis, Executive Director of the DC Public Charter School Board, were also in attendance for the ceremony.
Left: Summer graduates from Girls Global Academy PCS.
Middle: A summer graduate from Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS.
Right: Summer graduates from Washington Leadership Academy PCS.
After the ceremony, the graduates were excited to talk about their high school journeys and share what is next for them. Destiny from Washington Leadership Academy spoke about feeling overwhelmed in her final semester, but the passing of a loved one pushed her forward and gave her the motivation she needed to graduate. Her schoolmate Xavier said he was motivated by his desire to pursue art and higher education.
Left: Program booklets for the 2024 DC Public Charter School Summer Graduation ceremony.
Middle: Summer graduates and a school leader from Friendship Collegiate Academy PCS.
Right: Cupcakes for the graduates and their families following the ceremony.
This year’s Rainbow Graduation was more than just a ceremony; it was a testament to the perseverance, ambition, and hard work of students who refused to let obstacles prevent them from receiving their high school diplomas. We’re incredibly proud of how far each and every one of these graduates came to get to this point, and we look forward to seeing them take the next step in their unique journeys. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
