WEDJ School


WEDJ FOUNDATION

Overview

WEDJ FOUNDATION

Founded in November 2002, The William E. Doar, Jr. Educational Foundation, Inc. was created to provide: 


  1. Academically rigorous programming to prepare students for post-secondary education; 


  2. Artistically rigorous programming to provide students professional-level experience and practice, worthy of public exhibition and/or performance in various artistic forms including: visual, graphic, applied, written and performing;
  3. 

Professional Development Training for instructors in integrating arts education in schools;
  4. 

Summer and After-Care programs in academics and arts; and 


  5. A full range of out of school-time programs for children and families. 



We chose to create Performing Arts school programs because of the many benefits it can provide students as well as due to the lack of focused school-day programs available for free to public school students. The membership of the Foundation board believes that the budget-driven removal of arts education programs will diminish the potential the Nation’s children. In fact, the addition of rich arts education experiences has been shown to positively impact IQ scores, Standardized test scores and attendance rates of students as well as reduce incidents of misbehavior and violence among participants. Most importantly, however, students may access our programs and our scientifically based philosophies of teaching and learning at any grade without prior experience or training in the arts and regardless of their family’s ability to pay for such training. The WEDJ School Model combines a performing arts program with a strong, standards based academic curriculum handpicked to both support and embrace the distinct learning environment of our schools. 

To date, the major programmatic focus of the foundation had been to successfully apply for and receive a charter to operate the William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts, Inc. 



During our FY 2004 the foundation successfully wrote and defended a charter school application to open the school in Washington, DC. The charter allowed the foundation to open and operate, at capacity, a PK-12th Grade school for up to 1200 students. Upon receipt of the approval letter, the William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts, Inc. became its own corporation, with a separate tax id number, 501(c)(3) designation and its own governing board of directors. Before opening, a total of $48,000 in grants, donations and in-kind donations was raised by the foundation on behalf of the school to ramp up for the opening year. 

The school opened its doors for the first time to serve 160 PK-5th grade students on September 8, 2004. As such, The William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School for the Performing Arts, Inc. is the first, non-audition, primary, middle and secondary Performing Arts school in the District of Columbia. During that first year of operation the school was able to identify, renovate and move into a permanent facility which today remains the home of WEDJ. In September 2006, the school opened the doors to its first 9th grade class. 

In 2007-2008 the school will be enrolling students in grades PK-10 and will serve approximately 470 students. Our eventual capacity is 1200 students. Additionally, it will serve up to ¾ of the school year population during the summer program as well as students from other schools that choose to enroll in the program for the summer term.



The school model consists of a full 8-hour day, provides breakfast, lunch and snacks to all attending students, runs a daily aftercare program, a rotating Saturday school program and a 6-week summer program. Parents are required to commit to 20 hrs/year of volunteer service with our school and students all participate in our “Arts to Others” community service program through their required annual public performances.

The school is in the process of renovating an additional floor of the school building to accommodate the high school students and has plans to design and build a full theatre within its building. 


The William E. Doar, Jr. Educational Foundation, Inc. serves many purposes in the educational world and is currently building capacity to assist schools and other interested groups in the following: 


  1. Fundraising;

  2. Board Development;

  3. Staff Development;

  4. Charter School Applications;

  5. Scheduling Models;

  6. Curriculum Development; and
  7. 
Arts Education Summer and After School Programs.



The Foundation is currently seeking funds to support our growing capacity in working with multiple schools to implement program in existing schools as well as consult with groups in other cities to design similarly modeled programs for children in their areas. 

Please contact us through the WEDJ PCS for the Performing Arts to inquire about:
  1. 

Grants/Donation support for school programs
  2. 
Fee-for-service programs in the above listed areas
  3. 
Interest in joining our Foundation Board of Directors


Non-Discrimination Statement
The William E. Doar, Jr. Educational Foundation and its programs value and seek participation by individuals and organizations representing diverse viewpoints and backgrounds. There shall be no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, citizenship status, religion or status as a veteran. 

Updated July 21, 2007 

The William E. Doar, Jr. Educational Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 Corporation. All donations are tax deductible according to IRS regulations. Tax ID#:13-4217621