Benjamin Stoddert Elementary School - Washington, DC

Benjamin Stoddert Elementary School serves approximately 450 students who come from over 30 different countries. Our 6.5 acre campus was renovated in 2010, and is truly the heart of the community, serving as a school during the day and a community center after hours.

In alignment with our focus on Collaboration, Innovation, and Alignment (CIA), all teachers are active participants in Goal Team Professional Learning Communities. Our Goal Teams guide the work of the school, and have developed and implemented a number of innovative approaches to encourage and challenge students.

For example, our students participate in the Renzulli Schoolwide Enrichment Model, and receive the full menu of fine arts instruction through our partnership with the Fillmore Arts Center. Traditional library and technology instruction has been blended into an integrated Information Literacy program, and our physical education program includes activities such as the International Dancing Classrooms program, fly fishing, archery, and bicycle riding.

"Environmental Awareness" is one of the core values of our community, and our student-led Green Team leads programs in recycling and composting. Health and nutrition are taught through our award-winning science and teaching garden program, and also through a weekly student-led Farmer's Market.

Another of our core values is "Visionary Leadership Throughout the School." We strive to help our students personalize this value by understanding that each of them has important leadership responsibilities and opportunities, including: Student Government, Green Team, Ski Team, Track Team, Spanish Club, Math Enrichment Club, Eye-to-Eye Mentoring, and #StoddertCares.