Columbia Heights Educational Campus

Welcoming the world into our special school community…

Welcome to the Columbia Heights Early College Campus, a World Cultures Catalyst School, for school year 2010-11. As we start the year, it is a time to celebrate the successes of the past year, and look forward to the hopes and excitement of the year we are beginning.

Last year saw many outstanding accomplishments for Columbia Heights Educational Campus. In our second year as a grade 6 through 12 Early College Campus, we worked diligently to have a unified approach to teaching and learning, so that each grade builds on the next one.

Bell Multicultural High School was once again named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top high schools in the United States! This past year, we were rated among the top 100 high schools in the country - #37! This honor was based on the level of rigor we provide through our Advanced Placement program.

We have received our DCCAS results from last year, and unfortunately did not see the level of growth we had set out to achieve. We are analyzing the results in order to take action to ensure that this year we see improvement in all grades, and all areas.

One of the goals of our campus is to prepare all students to enter college or post secondary training. Last year’s graduating class continued the trend we have established of obtaining more scholarships and financial aid for our senior class. The class of 2010 collected over $2,000,000 in scholarships and grants. We have high hopes for the class of 2011, and many of them have worked over the summer on preparing their applications.

This year, we will continue our work of creating a college going culture and preparation, beginning in the sixth grade. In addition, we will be building on our World Cultures Catalyst Program, so that all students will increase their knowledge of global issues, and all incoming sixth graders will have the opportunity to become bilingual in English and Spanish.

Our school is committed to creating learning experiences which focus on rigor, relevance and social justice. Every teacher, administrator, staff member and community supporter at CHEC stands ready to work with each and every student, so that all students can experience academic success and excitement in learning. Our collective efforts are the key elements in the success of our students. I thank you in advance for your generosity, work and time commitments this year, and look forward to a year of learning and growth for all of us.

Sincerely,


Maria Tukeva
Principal Columbia Heights Educational Campus