(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined District leaders, students, families, and educators to cut the ribbon on the $82.9 million modernization of Truesdell Elementary School in Ward 4. She also celebrated the first day of Pre-K for early learners across the District. The modernization of Truesdell has transformed the school into a vibrant, state-of-the-art learning environment serving students from infancy through elementary school.
“Today, we are celebrating two big wins for our community: a beautiful, modernized Truesdell Elementary that will serve families for generations to come, and the first day of Pre-K for our youngest learners,” said Mayor Bowser. “At Truesdell, families have access to every stage of early learning, starting with infants and toddlers, continuing through Pre-K, and into elementary school – all in a modern building with world-class educators.”
The new campus features brand-new classrooms, a turf field, flexible indoor-outdoor learning spaces, and a new multipurpose timber field house. The field house, which houses both the gym and cafeteria, is designed with sustainability in mind and reflects the District’s commitment to building eco-friendly schools.
“Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, today’s ribbon cutting represents not only progress for Truesdell Elementary School, but also the broader transformation of our public education facilities,” said Department of General Services (DGS) Director Delano Hunter. “This new, eco-friendly school reflects our shared commitment to creating safe, healthy, and positive spaces for students while reducing our environmental footprint. DGS takes pride in advancing this vision for our communities.”
In addition to seven early childhood classrooms offering free, full-day Pre-K3 and Pre-K4, Truesdell now includes a new child development center that will serve infants and toddlers (ages 0–2) in partnership with a community-based organization that will be announced in the coming months. Child development centers located within DC Public Schools (DCPS) provide a seamless and supported transition from infant and toddler care into Pre-K programming.
“What makes Truesdell so special is that it brings the entire early learning journey together in one place,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn. “With a new child development center for infants and toddlers, world-class Pre-K classrooms, and a modern elementary school, families can count on this campus to support their children from the very start. This is how we build not only stronger schools, but stronger communities across DC.”
“The modernization of Truesdell Elementary School is a testament to Mayor Bowser’s commitment to ensure our scholars have educational environments which allow them to flourish,” said DCPS Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “For our youngest Pre-K3 learners, this ribbon cutting ceremony marks the start of their formal school journey, and an amazing, state-of-the-art facility is all they will know for their elementary education. I am excited for the memories they will make here.”
The new Child Development Center at Truesdell reflects Mayor Bowser’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Child development centers located in DCPS elementary schools offer a coordinated and supported transition between infant and toddler programming and Pre-K. Since 2020, the Bowser Administration has opened the following child development centers:
- Stevens Early Learning Center (Ward 2)
- Military Road Early Learning Center (Ward 4)
- Randle Highlands Early Learning Center (Ward 7)
- Miner Elementary School Early Learning Center (Ward 7)
- Garfield Elementary School Early Learning Center (Ward 8)
Mayor Bowser has made early childhood education and care a cornerstone of her Administration’s efforts to give every child in DC a strong start. Washington, DC is a national leader in early childhood education, offering one of the most robust free Pre-K systems in the country. Today, 82% of 3-year-olds and 95% of 4-year-olds in DC are enrolled in Pre-K — helping children build strong foundations for lifelong success while also supporting working families.
“With the modernization of Truesdell Elementary School, we are making a powerful investment in our children’s future and in the vitality of our community. We’re especially proud that Truesdell is offering Pre-K seats, ensuring our youngest learners have access to joyful, high-quality learning environments from the very start," said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. "Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, we remain deeply committed to delivering world-class educational facilities for every student in every neighborhood — because every child deserves a school that inspires excellence and belonging.”
To support families during the transition to Pre-K, DCPS offers Ready for Pre-K!, a family-centered initiative designed to prepare young children and caregivers for their child’s Pre-K experience. The program provides resources, guidance, and activities. Families can explore these supports at readyforprek.org.
Mayor Bowser also recently released the 2025 Back to School Guide, a comprehensive resource for families of students in Pre-K through 12th grade. The guide includes important information on enrollment, attendance, academic supports, career and college readiness programs, and more. Families can visit backtoschool.dc.gov for additional resources, including guidance on transportation and the new DCPS cell phone policy.
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