Schools Targeted For Closure

Shaw is the city's largest middle school and, according to Rhee, too big for its enrollment, which is 154 in a building designed for 765 students. Because of repeated poor test scores, Shaw is the target of academic restructuring programs. (Schools with failing test scores for several years must undergo a major academic and administrative overhaul, according to federal law. Shaw students would go to Garnet-Patterson Middle, 2001 10th St. NW. It has a new gym and will have a gifted-and-talented program next fall.

Stevens Elementary

Stevens was built in the 1800s to house up to 324 students. But the school lost 28 percent of its students between 2002 and 2006 and now has 231.

Last year, 46 percent of students were proficient in reading and 27 percent in math.

Under the proposal, Stevens students would transfer to Francis, 2425 N St. NW, which would expand to pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. School system officials said the move would provide Stevens students with amenities they now lack, such as an auditorium, a gym and playing fields.

But Stevens parents say they are worried about having their children in the same building as middle-schoolers. Stevens is "a small school, which I prefer," said Crystala Lewis, who has a son in preschool. At Francis, "my son will have to enter through a metal detector. It's disturbing."

Clark Elementary

Built in 1968 for a capacity of 352 students, the school has about 200. Between 2002 and 2006, the school lost 29 percent of its enrollment.

Last year, 47 percent of students were proficient in math and reading.

Under the proposal, Clark students would enroll at Barnard Elementary, 430 Decatur St. NW; Powell Elementary, 1350 Upshur St. NW; or Truesdell Elementary, 800 Ingraham St. NW. Truesdell is in restructuring because of its poor test scores.

Some teachers said they oppose the closing, saying Clark's small enrollment benefits students. "It's a small school. We would like to stay there," said Deloris Braxton, who teaches English as a second language. "Sometimes when the situation gets huge, children get lost."

Rudolph Elementary