News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
As students across Washington, D.C. returned to classrooms this August, two communities in Ward 3 and Ward 1 had even more reason to celebrate. Stoddert Elementary School and Oyster-Adams Bilingual School both cut ribbons on long-awaited expansions and modernizations, marking a “back to school” season defined by fresh spaces, renewed energy, and lasting investment in the future of public education.
Stoddert Elementary’s phase I expansion
On August 18, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joined city leaders, families, and neighbors in Glover Park to celebrate the completion of Stoddert Elementary School’s phase I expansion. million project delivered 10 new classrooms, a new playground, and geothermal energy performance upgrades—replacing aging modular trailers with permanent, future-ready learning environments.
The investment was the result of years of collaboration among DC Public Schools, the Department of General Services, and the school community, who worked together to ensure that the addition not only met capacity needs but also created spaces designed to inspire collaborative learning.
Oyster-Adams reopens a modernized Adams Morgan campus
One week later, on August 25, Mayor Bowser again led the ribbon-cutting at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School’s Adams Morgan campus to mark the completion of a comprehensive modernization. The project reimagined 78,000 square feet of space in the historic building, bringing modern classrooms and collaborative spaces to the fourth-to-eighth grade campus while honoring the school’s legacy as a national model of bilingual education.
The ribbon cutting capped off a multi-year construction effort and provided the Oyster-Adams community with facilities that matched the rigor and excellence of its dual-language program.
“I’m proud of the collaboration that made this milestone possible,” said DGS Director Delano Hunter, whose department oversees DCPS’ modernization program, at the Stoddert ceremony. “And I look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will have.”
With both schools opening their doors in time for the 2025–26 academic year, the District celebrated more than just buildings. The ribbon cuttings embodied the excitement of “back to school,” a moment when students step into new classrooms, educators welcome fresh opportunities, and communities see tangible results of long-term planning and investment.
“These projects show what can be achieved when communities, agencies, and schools work together toward a shared vision,” said B&D President Will Mangrum. “At both Stoddert and Oyster-Adams, we’ve helped create spaces that reflect not only the District’s commitment to excellence, but also the energy and promise of every new school year.”
Together, the expansions at Stoddert and Oyster-Adams underscore DC’s commitment to providing world-class learning environments that are inclusive, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the neighborhoods they serve.
