For Immediate Release

December 4, 2014
Media contact:
Crystal Rucker
crucker@ccpcs.org
202.808.9749

CAPITAL CITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO HOST FIRST LADY MICHELLE

OBAMA FOR COLLEGE MARCH
WASHINGTON, DC-- On December 5, Capital City Public Charter School will host its
second annual College March to acknowledge the success and aspirations of their high
school seniors as they apply to college. This years March will welcome a special guest,
First Lady Michelle Obama. The First Ladys visit to Capital City is part of her Reach
Higherinitiative.

Our entire school community is excited about the First Ladys visit to Capital City. The
visit acknowledges the hard work of our students and staff in preparing for college
success, said Karen Dresden, Capital Citys Founder and Head of School.

At the March, Capital Citys entire PK-12th grade school community will cheer on the
seniors as they mail their college applications. The success of seniors has served as an
inspiration for all of the students and the March is a testament to that, explained
Bridget Jackson, Director of College Counseling. During last years march, middle school
students held signs of support that read, "If you can do it. We can do it."

Capital City began graduating seniors in 2012 and since that first year, 100% of
graduates have been accepted to college. This is particularly significant given that 80%
of graduates have been first in their families to go to college and 30% have been first in
their families to graduate from high school. For many of our students pursuing a
college education, they are fulfilling the dreams of their parents and setting an example
for their entire families, said Jackson.

The College March comes on the heels of College Application Week.
100% of Capital City students have already completed at least one college application
and collectively the 75 seniors have completed 500 applications for colleges and
scholarships.

With so many students to be first in their families to apply to college, students and their
families look to the school for support with the process. The school has a
comprehensive program of support that begins long before senior year. At Capital City,

all middle and high school students engage in activities related to college planning.
Capital Citys Expeditionary Learning (EL) curriculum focuses on preparing students for
success in college and beyond.

Capital City is an EL Mentor School, one of the highest performing schools in the EL
network of more than 160 schools. The Capital City event kicks off ELs College March
week. The first College March began at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning
School in 2011, and spread across NYC Outward Bound Schools network of EL schools in
2012. This year, the College March has expanded across the nation, including 14 EL
schools. College Marches will be held in nine cities across the country on December
12th. For more information ELs College March week,
visit www.elschools.org/collegemarch.


###

CAPITAL CITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL is an award-winning public school of choice for
children Pre-K through 12th grade. Capital City students complete a rigorous academic
program that emphasizes both independent and collaborative learning within an
inclusive democratic community. Through the Expeditionary Learning model, students
study compelling topics through authentic hands-on learning experiences that result in
high quality products. The school serves a diverse population of 970 students in one
consolidated facility in Ward 4.

A charter school is a free public school that operates independently of the local school
system with funding determined by a per-pupil formula. The school is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization led by a board of trustees that includes parents, educators,
community leaders, and financial and legal experts. Please visit www.ccpcs.org for more
information.
The event is open press, but space is limited. Members of the media who wish to cover
this event must RSVP to Crystal Rucker, crucker@ccpcs.org, by Thursday, December 4,
at 12:00 PM ET with the subject line College March RSVP. Press who do not have
a White House hard pass must include in their email a social security number, date of
birth, country of citizenship, current city/state of residence, and gender. Please note that
RSVP does not guarantee access and media credentialed will receive a confirmation
email.