Schools Targeted For Closure

Rudolph was built in 1940 for 547 students. But the building is at 42 percent capacity with 228. The school's enrollment dropped 50 percent between 2002 and 2006. Last year, 29 percent of students were proficient in reading, 27 percent in math. The proposal calls for transferring Rudolph students to either Barnard or Whittier Elementary, 6201 Fifth St. NW.

Bertie Backus Middle

The spacious building atop a hill in Northeast can accommodate 620 students, but its enrollment dropped 67 percent between 2002 and 2006, and it now has 141.

Last year, 15 percent of the students were proficient in reading, 8 percent in math. Students would go to Taft Center, 1800 Perry St. NE, which would shift from being used as the special education Choice Academy to a traditional school with grades pre-K through 8. Taft students would move to the special education Hamilton Center, 1401 Brentwood Pkwy. NE.

Bunker Hill Elementary (closing date not determined)

Bunker Hill's enrollment has dropped by 42 percent in recent years, but Principal Amanda Alexander has tried to reverse that trend with heavy recruiting. Last year, 44 percent of the students were proficient in reading, 39 percent in math.

Students from Brookland Elementary, 1150 Michigan Ave. NE, would temporarily relocate to Bunker Hill, which can accommodate up to 507 students, beginning in the 2008-09 school year so that nearby Brookland can be rebuilt. Starting in August, the combined schools would also have an early childhood program. After construction is complete, all students would move into the new Brookland, and Bunker Hill would close.

John Burroughs Elementary

The school was built in 1921 to accommodate 472 students, but it enrolls 242.

Under the proposal, Burroughs students would move into the Taft Center.

Last year, 56 percent of Burroughs students were proficient in reading and 42 percent in math. Parents oppose the plan to close the school, citing its $300,000 math lab and its accreditation, a rarity for an elementary school in the system.

Burroughs parents have been among the most vocal opponents of the closure plan, demonstrating in front of the John A. Wilson Building and at community meetings. They've set up a Web site, http://www.savejohnburroughsdc.com. "You haven't included the people in this process," said Clarence Cherry, president of the PTA. "We're going to fight this."