Welcome to Perry Street Prep! Hyde Leadership Public Charter School Amends Its Charter to Intensify Focus on Academic Rigor and College Prep

WASHINGTON, July 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hyde Leadership Public Charter School of Washington, DC is now Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School!  

The new name was announced following a public hearing before the DC Public Charter School Board to consider the school's charter amendment application.  PCSB voted to approve the school's revised mission and educational plan at the end of June.

The new name is intended to reflect the college-readiness mission and the location of the school.  In January 2011, Hyde Leadership Public Charter School relocated from 101 T St. NE to a newly-renovated, state-of-the-art facility at 1800 Perry Street, NE (site of the former Taft Vocational Center) in the Woodridge community.

Established in 1999 by Hyde Schools' founder, Joseph W. Gauld, the school has grown to become one of the District's largest charter schools, serving more than 700 students, Pre-K-12, from every ward in the city.

For the past three years, a consulting contract with the Hyde Foundation had permitted the school to use the Hyde name and Hyde character education and family renewal programs.  The Board of Trustees voted in April to end the school's 12-year relationship with the Hyde Foundation.  

"It is our belief, as the school's trustees, that this decision best supports our heightened focus on academic rigor and college preparation," said Joseph A. Fanone, president of the Board of Trustees.

The mission of Perry Street Prep is to be "a community of diverse learners that builds relationships with families to empower students to become college-ready and to thrive in a global society."

All financial and human resources can now be realigned to implement the charter school's blueprint to provide a 21st century, college preparatory education to each student, Pre-K-12.  

"Schools that simply prepare students to be college-eligible are doing them a disservice.  At Perry Street Prep, we plan to use rigorous academic instruction, a safe and secure learning environment and strong family and community relationships to empower our students to be ready to enter to college, ready to succeed in college and ready to thrive in a global society," said Dr. Jo Ann Cason, head of school.

Perry Street Prep has ended its contract with the Hyde Foundation, but not its belief in the importance of character or its belief that schools work best when parents are invested and involved in the educational process.  

The amended charter details how administrators, teachers and staff will immerse all students, Pre-K-12, in a college-bound curriculum and culture.  A Parent Academy will help forge strong relationships with parents and guardians by providing activities and opportunities that inform families how to support their children's educational success.  To maintain a positive and safe school culture, faculty, staff and parents will promote the importance of character by emphasizing Respect, Responsibility and Perseverance.

"Our name has changed, but not our commitment to our students and to their families.  Perry Street Prep intends to become the city's top college preparatory public charter school.  Every student, Pre-K-12, who enters 1800 Perry Street will be placed on a path that prepares them to graduate college and to thrive in a global society," Dr. Cason said.

Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School (1800 Perry St., NE, Washington, DC 20018) offers a quality college preparatory education to every student, Pre-K through Grade 12.  Located in a newly-renovated, high-tech school building, Perry Street Prep is a community of diverse learners that builds relationships with families to empower students to become college-ready and to thrive in a global society.  Students who are residents of DC do not pay tuition.  For additional information, visit www.pspdc.org or call the school at 202.529.4400.

Media Contact:  Holly Cherico
office: 202.551.0804 cell: 202.570.8494
[email protected]

SOURCE Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School