(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser joined local leaders and the Ward 4 community today to celebrate the completion of a significant $23 million addition at Barnard Elementary School. The newly constructed 23,000-square-foot facility features 12 general education classrooms, a hands-on Specials Lab, and dedicated spaces for special education, all aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students and educators alike.
“We are so proud of the beautiful facilities we are welcoming students back to this year – here at Barnard and across the city,” said Mayor Bowser during the ceremony. She emphasized the importance of modernized learning environments in attracting and retaining quality educators, stating, “When we have great teaching and learning, families trust us and they vote with their feet.”
The addition at Barnard Elementary not only modernizes the school but also fosters an inclusive learning environment, bringing students together under one roof. The project incorporates sustainable features such as a green roof, new play fields, gardens, and bioretention ponds, aligning with the District’s commitment to environmentally friendly public facilities.
In addition to the Barnard celebration, Mayor Bowser and District officials visited Whittier Elementary School, where a new modular swing-space campus has been established to accommodate students during ongoing modernization efforts. This fully modernized campus is expected to open for the 2028-29 school year, further exemplifying the District’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure.
The completion of Barnard’s expansion is part of Mayor Bowser’s broader initiative to invest in school modernization across the District. Since 2015, nearly $5 billion has been allocated to school facilities, with approximately $800 million dedicated to projects specifically in Ward 4. “Today is a momentous day for our Barnard Bears,” said DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson, highlighting the positive impact of the new facilities on academic progress and community engagement.
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