Submitted by ssvenningsen on
Malcolm Peabody helps incorporate FOCUS
Since 1996 – when the District’s first charter schools opened, FOCUS has been the primary advocate for public charter schools in Washington, DC. From helping write the law that created public charter schools in DC, to developing the facilities allowance that enables schools to access appropriate buildings, to protecting public charter schools from illegal intrusions into their autonomy, FOCUS’s work has ensured that public charter schools have the necessary freedom and funding to create the current quality school options for DC families. In addition, FOCUS has played a substantial role in ensuring the health of DC’s public charter schools through its comprehensive start-up program as well as a wide variety of technical assistance programs for schools. Today, there are 120 public charter schools, operated by 66 non-profits, affording students and families the power of choice in their education.
Mission
FOCUS supports the diverse set of public charter schools in DC by advocating for and strengthening autonomy, equity, and quality.
Vision
Quality public school choices for every DC student.
In 2016 FOCUS inducted Malcolm "Mike" Peabody (also known as the godfather of DC charter schools) into the DC Charter Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership and vision in creating FOCUS and guiding its growth and influence in supporting DC's thriving public charter school movement. In 2017 Malcolm Peabody was also inducted in to the National Charter Schools Hall of Fame.
Click here to read Malcolm Peabody's bio.