Bell Wins QSI Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIGHT FOR CHILDREN ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE
2009 QUALITY SCHOOLS INITIAITVE AWARD

Washington, DC [April 17, 2009] – Fight For Children, an independent non-profit
organization committed to improving education in DC schools, today announced the winners of
the 2009 Quality Schools Initiative. Capital City Public Charter School won the Public
Charter Schools award, Bell Multicultural High School took the Public School award, and The
Washington Middle School for Girls won the award in the Independent category. The winning
schools were each awarded a $100,000 grant from Fight For Children.

The Quality Schools Initiative is an innovative awards program sponsored by Fight For Children
that encourages replication of high quality programs that improve student achievement among
low-income children in public, charter, and independent schools throughout Washington, DC.
“The winners of this year’s Quality Schools Initiative are terrific schools that are making great
progress in educating low-income children here in Washington, DC,” commented Michela
English, President and CEO of Fight For Children. “These schools have worked long and hard
to develop and implement innovative programs with one common goal – to provide a quality
education and give kids solid opportunities for their futures. All of us at Fight For Children
applaud their efforts and look forward to hearing about their continued success.”

Capital City Public Charter School (Ward 1) was founded in 2000 by a group of D.C. Public
School parents working with teachers and other education professionals to create a school
dedicated to the best practices in education reform. Their mission is to enable a diverse group of
children to meet high expectations, develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving
skills, and achieve deep understanding of complex subjects, while acquiring a love of learning
and a strong sense of community and character.

Bell Multicultural High School (Ward 1) is committed to creating learning experiences which
focus on rigor, relevance and social justice. Every teacher, administrator, and staff member at
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural School stands ready to work with each and every student, so that all
students can experience academic success and excitement in learning. The mission is for all
students who graduate to be prepared to succeed in college and as leaders in the quest for social
justice.

The Washington Middle School for Girls’ (Ward 8) mission is to provide a caring and safe
environment for young girls who are living in an underserved area of Washington and at risk of
leaving school prematurely. WMSG offers a solid and holistic program in the Catholic
educational tradition, featuring intellectual challenge, respect for diversity, and support for the
spiritual and emotional growth of each student. "In the Spirit of Courageous Women", WMSG
builds collaborative relationships with families and the community in every aspect of the
educational process.

Fight For Children board member and School Night Honorary Co-Chair, Michelle Fenty,
presented the awards to the three schools selected at a luncheon that was held on April 17.
Fight For Children, founded in 1990 by business and civic leader Joseph E. Robert, Jr., is a
501(c)(3) organization committed to providing all children in the District of Columbia the tools
they need to grow, learn, and succeed. Fight For Children has raised $82 million in private
contributions, investing these resources to create education, leadership and health care programs,
as well as providing direct support to over 150 youth-serving organizations in the greater DC
area. For more information on Fight For Children or any of its programs, visit
www.fightforchildren.org.

Contacts
Jeff Travers Kristen Fagley
Fight For Children Fight For Children
202-772-0436 202-772-0439
jeff.travers@fightforchildren.org kristen.fagley@fightforchildren.org
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