- Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education for children six weeks through five years old.
- Adult Education
Basic through advanced English classes for immigrant parents, the National External Diploma Program, and workforce development programs. - Family Integration
Family integration, consisting of child development lessons and co-education times for parents and their young children
A High-Quality Accredited Program
Briya is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school was most recently re-accredited in 2018 for the standard seven-year period, running through 2025. As part of the accreditation process, Briya created and is implementing a strategic plan to guide continuous school improvement efforts, utilizing the Excellence by Design protocol.
Who We Serve
The countries of origin for Briya students and staff, 2020-21 school year.
Today, Briya serves over 950 adult and early childhood students at four school locations. Students and staff come from over 50 countries, embodying Briya’s values of multiculturalism and inclusivity.
Mission
Briya’s mission is to strengthen families through culturally responsive two-generation education.
Our two-generation approach to education recognizes that parents are children’s first and most important teachers. As parents’ literacy and educational levels increase, so does their children’s academic success.
Values
Learner-Centeredness
Student agency and voice are foundational to high-quality education.
Inclusiveness
People of all countries, races, religions, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, languages, abilities, and life experiences are integral to the Briya community.
Trust
A space of safety and mutual respect among students and staff promotes optimal growth and belonging.
Collaboration
Strategic, agile collaboration on all levels—among staff, students, departments, and community partners—increases the holistic success of student families.
Equity
The pursuit of equity drives Briya’s work. Through our comprehensive, two-generation educational model, we seek to overcome systemic oppression and partner with students to create opportunities for all to thrive.
History of Briya Public Charter School
Research proves that as parents’ literacy and educational levels increase, so does their children’s academic success. At Briya, families are not merely participants in the school; they are the architects of it. Briya’s growth over the past 30 years has been in response to the needs and wishes of the families it serves.
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- Founded as Even Start, a US Department of Education demonstration project offering two-generation education
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- Forms strategic partnership with Mary’s Center and establishes a shared Social Change Model
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- Named a model education site by the US Department of Education
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- Becomes a D.C. Public Charter School
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- Launches the Child Development Associate Program
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- Offers a high school diploma pathway through the National External Diploma Program
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- First accreditation by Middle States Association
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- Opens third school site in Petworth/Georgia Avenue
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- Launches the Medical Assistant Program
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- Named a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics*
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- Opens fourth school site in Fort Totten, sharing a building with Mary’s Center and Bridges PCS
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- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Briya launches a PreK outdoor learning program and virtual learning for adults