Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, and community leaders recently celebrated the completion of a $63 million renovation of Dorothy I. Height Elementary School in Ward 4. The 86,000-square-foot facility serves students’ academic needs and honors civil rights leader Dorothy Height.
The renovated school, which opened for the 2024–2025 school year, now serves nearly 400 students and features new playgrounds, a rooftop activity area, an all-electric kitchen, and a modern cafeteria. Mayor Bowser's office reported that the project has received multiple industry awards for its innovative design and construction.
Mayor Bowser expressed pride at the school’s dedication, saying, 'Today is a reminder and a celebration of how far we’ve come together and the opportunities we continue to create for our children. This beautiful school is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Dr. Height.' Chancellor Ferebee echoed this sentiment, stating, 'The modernization of Dorothy I. Height Elementary School provides scholars with a learning facility that will empower them to succeed academically while preserving Dr. Height’s historic legacy.'
The school is named for Dr. Dorothy Height, a civil rights leader who advocated for equality and the advancement of African American women and families. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and was a leader in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Nicole Jordan, President of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, said, 'Dr. Height’s legacy reminds us that leadership is rooted in responsibility. We honor her example by serving our communities.' NCNW National Chair Dr. Lois Keith added, 'This building is a beautiful homage to a shared vision.'
Since 2015, more than $3.6 billion has been directed toward the modernization of schools across all eight wards under Mayor Bowser's administration, with over $750 million funneled into Ward 4's educational infrastructure. Upcoming projects anticipate an additional $197 million in funds for continued renovations and modernizations within the ward, according to a recent release from the Mayor Bowser's office. This commitment underscores the administration's ambition to ensure that every student in DC can benefit from a contemporary, high-caliber schooling experience.
