Six Charter Schools Opening With Unique Outlooks

Authorizer:

D.C. Public Charter School Board

Starting Sept. 5, the half-day program will serve parents who speak limited or no English and preschool children ages 3 and 4. Parents will take English classes while the children learn reading and math and social-interaction skills, director Christie McKay said. Parents and children also will take part in activities together, with the focus on getting the entire family interested in education, McKay said. The school was founded by the nonprofit Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care Inc.

Nia Community Public Charter School

3845 South Capitol St. SW

202-562-5440

http://www.niacpcs.org

Authorizer:

D.C. Public Charter School Board

The school, at Covenant Baptist Church, will open Monday with 120 students from pre-K to third grade and will eventually expand to the eighth grade. Co-founder and Executive Director Monique Murdock said that at the core of the school's mission is creating a nurturing, community-focused environment through rigorous academics and helping to foster a student's sense of the larger community outside of the school through projects such as gardening. The school's extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., will include before- and after-school programs.

"Nia is a Kwanzaa principle that stands for purpose," Murdock said. "We firmly believe we have a purpose to serve the community."

St. Coletta Special Education Public Charter School

1901 Independence Ave. SE

202-350-8680