Paul Public Charter School is a public school that serves students from all quadrants of the city. The school’s structured and highly individualized program provides vital support for students during the critical middle school years. A strictly enforced Code of Conduct based on checks and balances helps students modify behaviors and attitudes to develop the character and academic prowess they need to become the leaders of tomorrow. Paul Public Charter School offers students in grades 6-8 a quality education, which enables them to become responsible and productive individuals, critical and independent thinkers, open-minded and cooperative team players, and outstanding community leaders. Paul has high expectations and believes that all children can learn and benefit from a rigorous academic program, which includes Sciences, Humanities, Mathematics, English Literature, Spanish, French and Fine Arts. Coupled with leadership and community service opportunities, the Paul PCS program promotes activism and a strong work ethic.

History:
Paul Public Charter School is named after Edward Paul. Edward Paul was a principal and acting Superintendent in the DC Public School system. Born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, on August 1, 1855, he attended grade school in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He entered Dartmouth College in 1872 and graduated four years later with high honors. In the fall of 1876, he came to Washington, DC to teach at the Franklin School. The following year, he became principal at the Boy’s Advanced Grammar School of DC. In 1882, the Washington High School (later Central and currently Cardozo) was erected and Mr. Paul was appointed the first principal. On July 1, 1885, Mr. Paul, after serving as acting Superintendent, was elected Superintendent of schools, but declined the position. On April 3, 1888, Mr. Paul was injured in an accident which resulted in his death. His death was recognized throughout the community as a great tragedy. Paul Junior High School was named in Edward Paul’s honor. The school was a traditional DC Public School and was started as a branch of MacFarland Junior High. It became a separate school in September 1929 when it moved to the old Brightwood building on Georgia Avenue. The present Paul PCS building opened in February 1930, later adding the north and south wings in 1932 and 1938 respectively. In 2000, the school was awarded its charter and became the first conversion public charter school in DC. Because of its exemplary reputation through the years, the Paul name remained intact.

Mission Statement:
The mission of Paul Public Charter School is to educate our students and to develop in them the capacity to be responsible citizens, independent thinkers, and leaders.

The philosophy of the Paul Public Charter School embodies the belief that all children can learn and benefit from an intensive academic program delivered within the context of a nurturing and structured school environment. Although the adolescent years are viewed as a period of transition, it must be emphasized that they are also a time for gaining perspective, a time for developing the ability to become insightful, and a time to understand that wise decisions cannot be made unless several perspectives of an issue are discerned. Additionally, it is a time when solid foundations built at the elementary level must be continued and enhanced. It is also a time when preparation for one’s life work emerges. The adolescent years are among the most crucial in a child’s development, because it is then that the student generally chooses the directions, both academically and socially, that will influence the balance of his or her life. Therefore, Paul PCS provides each student with a wide range of opportunities and challenging experiences intended to expand his/her world, a vast offering of academic and extra-curricular activities designed to increase his/her knowledge, leadership opportunities which will equip him/her to take an active role in society, and a time for exploring those possibilities that might seem unimportant now but likely will become very significant in the future. The Paul PCS educational focus provides for a balanced curriculum in the humanities and sciences based on clearly articulated standards leading to advanced placement at the high school level. Mathematics, Science, English, Spanish, and Social Studies are the backbone of our students’ education. This focus actually enhances the study of other subject areas by providing a broad context to better understand them.