(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, the DC Department of General Services (DGS), DC Public Schools (DCPS), and the Ward 4 school community celebrated the completion of Barnard Elementary School's $23 million addition. The completed 23,000-square-foot addition at Barnard Elementary School provides 12 general education classrooms, a hands-on Specials Lab, and dedicated special education spaces designed to better support students and educators.

"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. "And while we know a modernized building isn't everything, we do know that it's important to build the spaces our students and educators deserve. And we know that strong facilities help us attract and retain strong educators. And when we have great teaching and learning, families trust us and they vote with their feet."

This expansion brings students together under one roof while creating a more modern, inclusive learning environment. The project also includes sustainability features such as a green roof, new play fields, gardens, and bioretention ponds that advance the District's commitment to high-quality, environmentally friendly public facilities.

Mayor Bowser and District leaders also visited Whittier Elementary School to tour its new modular swing-space campus, built to keep students learning without disruption during the school's full modernization. The fully modernized Whittier campus will open for School Year 2028-29.

"As someone who takes real pride in seeing young people value their academic environment, being a part of delivering facilities of this caliber is incredibly special," said DGS Director Delano Hunter. "Many DCPS alumni like me never imagined having schools built to this standard, so to help bring these projects to life means a lot to me, both professionally and personally."

The completion of the Barnard Elementary School addition reflects Mayor Bowser's continued investment in modernizing schools across the District and creating learning environments that strengthen neighborhoods and support student success.

"Today is a momentous day for our Barnard Bears, who will begin the school year with modern classrooms and a specials lab that matches their potential as a 2025 Bold Performance School," said DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson. "Under Dr. Grace Reid's leadership, Barnard has increased enrollment, improved belonging, and driven academic progress in Ward 4. Congratulations to the Barnard community!"

Since 2015, the District has invested nearly $5 billion in school facilities, including nearly $800 million in Ward 4 school modernization projects.

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