Cesar Chavez Public Charter School (District)

The Chávez Schools offer a challenging academic environment – our students often come to us two to three grade levels behind academically, and it is the job of all Chavez educators to not only make up for those deficiencies but to also help accelerate children to be ready for college by the time they graduate. We believe that every student can go to college through achievement-focused teaching, and we search for professionals who support that mission. The first César Chávez Public Charter School (Chávez) was founded in 1998 in response to lagging academic performance and exceedingly low high school graduation and college matriculation rates among District of Columbia public school students, especially among minority and low-income students. Founder Irasema Salcido wanted to provide inner-city students with a rigorous, high-quality education that would prepare them for college and inspire them to civic engagement. The founding Chávez school quickly earned a strong reputation for its rigorous academic curriculum, unique public policy program, top-notch faculty, and comprehensive student support services, which together have ensured that 100% of graduating Chávez seniors have been accepted into at least one college or university. By 2003, Chávez had risen to the top of its local DC market and could not begin to meet the strong parental demand for its program. Thus, the school took the first steps towards expansion, developing a vision of growth that would ultimately have Chávez serving some 3,000 District of Columbia students in grades 6 to 12. The school then redeveloped its board of trustees, gained Charter Board approval to replicate and expand to the lower grades, and partnered with Sallie Mae’s Building Hope A Charter School Facilities Fund. In 2004, Chávez began its first phase of replication: it opened its second campus – a combined middle and high school. Chávez also transitioned the leadership at the founding high school, established a home office

VISION: To develop young people who will make this world a better place by influencing the public policies that affect their communities. MISSION: To challenge students with a rigorous curriculum that fosters citizenship and prepares them to excel in life. The school will use public policy themes to guide instruction and will provide students direct experience with organizations working in the public interest.

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI”), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (“The Age Act”), applicants for admission and employment, students, parents, employees, sources of referral of applicants for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy (“The Chavez Schools”) are hereby notified that The Chavez Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Students, parents and/or guardians having inquiries concerning The Chavez Schools’ compliance with Section 504 or the ADA should contact the appropriate individual from the list below who have been designated by The Chavez to coordinate its efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Section 504 and ADA at the identified campus.