Schools Targeted For Closure

J.F. Cook Elementary

J.F. Cook lost 22 percent of its enrollment between 2002 and 2006 and has 184 students. Last year, 13 percent of the students were proficient in reading and 14 percent in math.

Students would go to Emery; Walker-Jones/R.H. Terrell Elementary, 100 L St. NW, which is slated to get a newly modernized building in future years; or Montgomery, which will have a new early childhood program.

Slowe Elementary

With neighborhood parents increasingly sending their children to charter schools, enrollment at Slowe has dipped to just 83. Between 2002 and 2006, it had a 64 percent decline. Mary McLeod Bethune charter school is sharing space this year in the building, which can accommodate 451 students. Last year, 36 percent of Slowe students were proficient in reading, 16 percent in math.

Students could shift to Noyes Elementary, 2725 10th St. NE, which officials say will be fully staffed, unlike Slowe; Langdon Elementary, 1900 Evarts St. NE, which will have a new science and math program; or the Taft Center, which will have a fine arts program.

PTA President Terri Anomnachi told Rhee at a hearing that parents were not fighting to keep the small school open but wanted to be sure that officials had carefully considered whether the closure plans would result in safer schools with stronger academic programs.

M.M. Washington

M.M. Washington offers students training in culinary arts, marketing and barbering.

Built in 1912 to accommodate 475 students, it has 387, including a special education program. Overall enrollment increased by about 50 from last year, bringing it above the level it was at five years ago. While the special education enrollment grew, the number of students in the career trades program decreased 20 percent in between 2002 and 2006 and is now at 289.

Last year, 32 percent of students were proficient in reading, and 21 percent were proficient in math.

Under the proposal, students in the trades programs would transfer to Cardozo Senior High, 1200 Clifton St. NW, and Roosevelt Senior High, 4301 13th St. NW. Special education students would move to schools closer to their homes.