DC's Ward 8 community has a new reason to celebrate as Mayor Muriel Bowser, alongside the DC Department of General Services and DC Public Schools, recently marked the completion of the Leckie Education Campus Middle School Addition. This $20.9 million project introduced a modern two-story wing, enriching the learning experience for middle schoolers. With construction concluded in December 2025, it represents a significant stride forward in Mayor Bowser’s commitment to upgrade educational facilities city-wide, as outlined in a statement made by the Mayor’s Office.
In her remarks, Mayor Bowser connected the dots between tangible assets and intellectual capital, stating, "Earlier this week, we announced teacher retention is up — and that we're retaining more of our effective and highly effective educators. All of these investments, in our people and in our facilities, go together," as per the Mayor’s Office. This addition is designed to cater to the educational needs specific to middle school students, and includes a new science lab with prep room, six new classrooms, a teacher collaboration space, and a dining area with food service capabilities.
Bringing more than just classroom space, the Leckie Education Campus improvement is a nod to sustainability and economic stimulation in the local community. "This project exceeded our Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) goals with more than 83 percent participation—investing over $17 million into CBEs—and nearly half of all labor hours were performed by District residents," DGS Director Delano Hunter told the Mayor’s Office. In addition to its academic offerings, the campus now sports three new playgrounds, a basketball court, a parking lot, and improved safety with new sidewalks and security fencing.
DC Public Schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee underscored the significance of the new facilities for science education. "DCPS is serious about STEM, and I am proud to celebrate the new addition at Leckie Education Campus, which will provide a dedicated science room and inspire thousands of students for years to come," he articulated in a statement. The initiative is part of a broader scheme in which, since 2015, Mayor Bowser has channeled $3.6 billion into school renovations. Even more, with another $2 billion earmarked in the FY26 Budget for additional school modernizations, these efforts show no signs of slowing down.
