In January, DC Public Schools (DCPS) announced that programming will discontinue at Washington Metropolitan High School.

In order to ensure students smoothly transition to their next school or graduate this year,  DCPS is providing dedicated supports to students and families during this time. In order to keep the Washington Metropolitan community informed on this work, DCPS will post regular updates to the School Planning Blog.

Below is an overview of supports provided to Washington Metropolitan students, families, and staff in March. In light of coronavirus (COVID-19) school closures, you’ll notice some adjustments to the delivery of support, but our commitment to the Washington Met community is stronger than ever during these difficult times.

Student/Family Supports 

• We have been successful in connecting with 129 out of 142 wash Met students about their future choices and continue to make outreach attempts to the remaining families.
• The My School DC lottery closed on March 2 and applications were submitted for 44 students. Students will be informed of their lottery matches on March 27 and will have until May 27 (one month after DCPS buildings are re-opened) to enroll and claim their seat. Supports will be available to ensure students and their families understand the enrollment process. Please note: Students interested in attending their neighborhood school or an Opportunity Academy do not need to secure placement through the lottery.
• Washington Metropolitan students are receiving laptops and work packets to facilitate distance learning.
• Reengagement Specialists are continuing their outreach with students via telephone and other remote means during the school closure period. They are connecting with students around their Distance Learning plans.
• Calls to inform families about the relocation of the special education self-contained programs are underway.
• School Mental Health staff are holding daily office hours and reaching out to their caseload by phone, text, or email.
• The previously scheduled community resource fair events in Wards 7 and 8 for Washington Metropolitan students and their families have been cancelled due to social distancing protocols, but we are working on alternative family outreach strategies.

Staff Supports 

• The Talent Development and Teacher Recruitment and Selection team is working with CSO and WTU members to help them connect with school leaders to conduct Microsoft Team, Zoom, and Skype interviews.
• The Teacher Recruitment and Selection team is also collaborating with the Staffing team to monitor when vacancies go live and maintain accurate records of teachers receiving offers from other schools.

Continuing Supports  

• The District is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 public health crisis and make decisions that are in the best interest of our entire community. Washington Met will continue to receive services through remote means.
• DCPS is offering free meals for any young person under the age of 18 at nearly 40 school sites throughout the city. See the full list of DCPS and public charter school locations at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food.