A diverse group of well-wishers gathered Dec. 9 for the ribbon cutting of THEARC Phase IV, the new home for the Washington School for Girls.
One of the original 14 nonprofit partners at THEARC, WSG is a private Catholic, tuition-free school that primarily serves girls living in DC’s Wards 7 & 8. The students have been split between two campuses, with middle schoolers attending classes at THEARC and third through fifth graders attending at the View campus on Morris Road SE.
WSG will welcome all 120 students at THEARC campus January 7.
Alumnae, students and supporters attended the ribbon cutting. Among the speakers were DC Councilmember Robert White, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the former archbishop of Washington, WSC President Beth Reaves and WC Smith Chairman Chris Smith. Smith founded Building Bridges Across the River, the nonprofit organization that manages THEARC.
The new building’s size and design allow for the instruction and advancement of up to 150 students to enroll in the future.
WC Smith provided pro-bono development services for Phase IV; WCS Mortgage managed the New Market Tax Credit financing and WCS Construction led the construction efforts. District Electrical Services provided the electrical work for the building.
The three-story Phase IV is located between THEARC’s east and west buildings, with a terrace at the back that overlooks Oxon Creek and THEARC Farm. Along with 14 bright and spacious classrooms, the campus includes a multipurpose space serving as a cafeteria and auditorium, an expansive library/media lab, a science lab, a makerspace/STEM lab, and a flexible art/music/dance area.
The building offers a connection to the natural environment with access to an outdoor learning space and tying the curriculum to the THEARC Farm. The building was designed to meet LEED Silver certification and features solar panels and a green roof.
