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The Achievement Preparatory Academy charter school was founded wings drop to two stories and their facades have a more informal,
to close the achievement gap between children from poorer versus form-follows-function quality, with expressed stairs and a tall chimney.
wealthier neighborhoods in DC. Diving into that mission, the school A separate facility housing pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade
opened in the Washington Highlands neighborhood, one of the was initially located a few blocks away. Having built a program
poorest parts of the city, with a long history of high crime and and a reputation, the school determined in 2013 to consolidate to
poor educational performance. Physically remote from downtown one campus by building a new Middle School and then renovating
DC, Washington Highlands saw fewer than 25% of its children the former public school building to serve as the Elementary School.
graduate from high school as recently as 2008. Studio Twenty Seven Architecture, which has considerable
Via a combination of longer school days and the establishment experience with charter schools, was called for the job.
of a strong culture that values learning, Achievement Prep has had The master plan developed by the architects called for the
impressive success. According to the website Idealist.org, “Although creation of a second three-story block, similar to the original school
a majority of the children who come to Achievement Prep are in many respects but clearly expressing the more lively spaces within,
2-3 years behind grade level, since opening its doors in 2008, which in turn reflect the dynamic character of Achievement Prep’s
Achievement Prep scholars have been some of the highest performing curriculum, methodology, and staff. Between the two buildings
children in the District of Columbia, managing to outperform many would be a naturally protected outdoor space: a commons that
of their peers from more affluent and privileged backgrounds.” includes a playground for the Lower School students and a covered
The original program, serving grades 4-8, was located in a for- walkway connecting the buildings. The commons would be a
mer DC public school, a solidly built, C-shaped block. The front of welcome amenity under any circumstances—a void in tension
the building faces a weary-looking public housing project across between the two solid masses—but in Washington Highlands
Wahler Place, SE. It is a rather plain modernist building, but thanks it takes on extra value as a secure space, separated from the
to its three-story height, symmetrical façade, and classically-inspired surrounding streets and neighborhood.
entrance surround, it reads as an anchor and local landmark. The

Renovated building now housing the
Achievement Prep Elementary School.

Project: Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS,
908 Wahler Place, SE, Washington, DC
Architects: Studio Twenty Seven Architecture
Landscape Architects: Siteworks
Structural Engineers: Ehlert Bryan, Inc.
MEP Engineers: Setty Associates
Civil Engineers: Christopher Consultants
Acoustical Consultants: Acoustical Design Collaborative, Ltd
General Contractor: MCN Build
All photos © Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography

ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENT 55