Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School
New School Program Management
The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School was founded in 1998 with an enrollment of just 35 students. Using small student-to-staff ratios, the School further cultivated its focus on multiculturalism and language immersion, and swiftly grew to an enrollment of 250 students. As interest in this distinct program spread, the number of prospective students quickly began to outgrow E.W. Stokes' capacity. As a result, the School started to investigate a means to bridge this gap between the constraints of its facility and the broad scope of its mission.
Brailsford & Dunlavey was retained by E.W. Stokes to determine the feasibility of a new school project as a renovation of the Augustinian College at 3700 Oakview Terrace NE, Washington, DC. This initial feasibility study helped the School complete the land transaction and begin planning for the renovation. In September 2006, E.W. Stokes contracted B&D to serve as owner's representative, managing the planning, design, and renovation of the building.
B&D's primary responsibilities
included setting and maintaining the program,
the budget, and the schedule. Tasks included
professional selection of architectural,
construction management, local third-party
review, inspections, and other services
tailored to the needs of the project. Through
the ensuing process, B&D remained active by
engaging all parties in regular design reviews
followed by the procurement of the necessary
permits. As construction progressed, E.W.
Stokes was kept up to date with budget tracking
reports and guidance on owner responsibilities
and key decisions.
As construction was ending in the summer of 2008, a 2,500 square foot playground was built with the support of KaBOOM! and XM Radio, as well as the volunteer labor of the E.W. Stokes community and 19 B&D staff members.
The result of many collaborative efforts is a 32,350 square foot school situated on a wooded hilltop that can accommodate 350 students from pre-K to 6th grade. The three floors and walk-in basement include several classrooms, a library, an art studio, a music room, a science lab, an auditorium/multi-purpose room, a parent center, an administrative wing, conference rooms, and teacher workrooms. A large dining room with views to the building's courtyards is supported by a kitchen that allows the School to further encourage a healthy diet. E.W. Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School opened the doors of this new $4.76 million facility for the 2008-2009 school year with more applicants than ever.