Working in partnership with the Religious of Jesus and Mary and the National Council of Negro Women, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus opened the Washington School for Girls in 1998. The school provides a caring and safe environment for young girls who are living in an underserved urban area and are at risk of leaving school prematurely.

Today, the Washington School for Girls serves approximately 130 girls in grades three through eight in the Anacostia area of Washington, D.C.

One student’s journey

A hard worker and talented dancer with college aspirations, Stephanie was ecstatic when she was awarded a full scholarship to a Midwest liberal arts college. Unfortunately, her family did not share her enthusiasm and could not offer the emotional support and technical guidance so critical to her transition to college. Her dream took flight with the Graduate Support Program of the Washington School for Girls, which assumed the role of surrogate parent, providing the advice, encouragement, and guidance that eased her transition from the inner city of Washington D.C. to a college in the rural Midwest. Stephanie is thriving!