For more than 35 years, Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School has provided high-quality education, career and student support services that change lives and improve communities.
Located in Washington, DC and serving residents ages 18 and older, we support more than 800 adult learners each year, whether they come to us looking to complete their high school education, gain a diploma, take college courses, develop job skills or advance in their careers.
We see adult education as the greatest lever for generational change: from increasing wealth-building opportunities to strengthening outcomes for children and families. It’s not just about the diploma or the career credential, but about building paths for economic self-sufficiency and a life of choice and opportunity.
Washington, DC has one of the nation’s highest percentages of residents with advanced degrees. But look behind the curtain and you’ll find that 1 in 5 DC adults face significant challenges reading a newspaper, understanding a map or completing a job application. These adults raise families and achieve meaningful milestones, even after halting their education due to circumstances beyond their control, like discrimination or illness. Even those with a high school diploma may have limited or low income.
Whether they enrolled to secure a more stable career or finish a goal they set decades ago, graduates inspire us with their perseverance and dedication in the face of systemic racism. We believe that all people have equal talent — and that adult education is the best way to create equal opportunity.
What’s special about Academy of Hope?
Our services are free for DC residents and offered in the daytime and evening, both in-person and online
We work with learners at all levels, whether they need courses in beginning literacy, reading and math, GED preparation, college transition or beyond
We have career tracks with hands-on training in hospitality, healthcare and IT
Our caring and encouraging staff, including a Student Support Team, offer judgment-free support and distribute healthy food and transportation stipends
As one of only a few adult public charter schools in the United States, our direct research and corresponding advocacy campaigns prioritize the needs of Black and brown adult learners
“This is a family kind of place. You can tell that at graduation.”
“It is very grassroots oriented. Every teacher knows every student’s background, and the administrators know every student’s background.”
“It’s not just about the diploma but setting people on a path that they have the skills and preparation to earn family-sustaining jobs beyond high school. What do Black and brown residents need to fulfill their dreams? AoH is doing that work.”
Since our founding in 1985, nearly 1,000 adults have graduated from Academy of Hope with a high school credential. 7,000 more have improved their reading, writing, math or computer skills.
Meet some recent alumni and learn their stories!
For more than 35 years, we’ve harnessed the power of education to transform our communities and have:
Increased the number of adults in DC with high school credentials
Provided a path to economic mobility: graduates of Academy of Hope are five times more likely to have a salaried career than when they entered
Helped learners advance professionally: 60% of our graduates continue to post-secondary education or vocational training
Filled jobs in the healthcare and technology industries and strengthened the economy
We’ve also served as an advocacy leader, winning tangible victories in our region:
Led a three-year advocacy campaign that resulted in the DC Council approving $1.98 million in transportation assistance for adult learners
Successfully advocated for the Council to provide stable funding for all DC adult charter schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
Participated in the first ever DC Council roundtable on adult education
Launched the Academy of Hope Foundation, an independent nonprofit which will support graduates with job placement and college transition and eventually expand AoH regionally and nationally
Here are more ways to learn about our impact:
Read our 2021-2022 Annual Report, which summarizes the recent accomplishments of graduates and our organization
Check out our latest DC Public Charter School Board profile, with an overview of our organization and performance
If you want to get involved as a donor, volunteer or staff member, please get in touch.
Academy of Hope fosters an atmosphere where individuals can be completely present as their authentic selves. We promote caring for one another. We believe we are stronger together and that representation for the people we serve matters.
AoH respects the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. We remain open-minded as we acknowledge each individual’s complex identities and our collective differences. To us, every person is worthy and we expect teachers, staff, learners, and community members to come as their true selves.
We believe that every human is deserving of respect and respect is an action. Respecting someone means engaging, learning, and trying to understand individuals’ experiences. At Academy of Hope we encourage self-love and a deep understanding, appreciation, and regard for our communities.
To see this value in action, read our Bullying Prevention Policy.
We purposefully recruit and engage community members who recognize and appreciate the power in every person. Our community is committed to actively listening and amplifying voices and lived experiences that are often unheard as a means to propel change.
Our ultimate goal is to serve all learners responsibly. We strive to be good stewards of the trust learners place in us by consistently reviewing our practices, programs, and structures to ensure we are advancing learners’ stated best interests.
Academy of Hope offers FREE programs to DC residents over the age of 18. Enroll today and begin your journey toward your education and career goals!
