Briya Blog

‘Stand aside for a while and leave room for learning, observe carefully what children do, and then, if you have understood well, perhaps teaching will be different from before.’ L. Malaguzzi    By Lena Johnson, Briya Director of Early Childhood   In the 2022-23 school year, the Early Childhood team embarked on a journey to explore what storytelling with our students and families looks like in our classrooms and how visual documentation enables us to capture children’s stories and share them within the classroom and school community. Why Storytelling?  Storytelling is at the heart of what Briya’s infant, toddler, and…

Briya student Marlene Arias Gutierrez was recently named the 2022 Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year by the Coalition on Basic Education (COABE), a national organization focused on advancing adult literacy.   Marlene was honored at COABE’s national conference on April 13th.   “I am here because I was the student who never talked in class, but who was invested in by her classmates and teachers. Even though I was not a student who spoke a lot, the people around me saw something in me,” Marlene shared in her speech.  Marlene and her son, Gael, enrolled in Briya together in 2018, when Marlene was 19 and Gael was an infant. She started…

When she was two years old, Michelle Vasquez headed off to class at Briya together with her mother, Evelyn Lopez: Michelle to her early childhood class, and Evelyn to basic-level English class.   Fast forward twenty years, and Michelle is about to graduate from Trinity University, with a job offer already secured—and Evelyn credits Michelle’s drive for learning in large part to her formative years at Briya.  “I think [Michelle’s Briya experience] had quite an impact,” Evelyn said. “There she began to learn English; she began to pronounce the alphabet. And I saw she began to be motivated to read books and…

Briya Public Charter School is pleased to announce that 100% of staff are fully vaccinated for Covid-19. Briya began vaccinating staff in January 2021 through the school’s partnership with Mary’s Center. As essential workers in a school that had partial in-person instruction throughout the 2020-2021 school year, Briya staff were one of the first groups eligible to receive the vaccine. Most staff agreed to be vaccinated immediately. In fact, 92% of Briya staff had received shots by spring 2021.   Staff member Silvia Arias said at the time, “We are in a moment of crisis, and we have to make use of every possible tool to help stop the pandemic. For me, getting…

In fall 2020, Briya student Alma participated in the National Parent Leader Institute, a month-long workshop about community organizing hosted by Innovate Public Schools. Alma joined parents from across the country to build leadership skills. As a parent, Alma sees the importance of advocacy and community organizing, not just for herself but for her daughter. Parents at the workshop learned about their rights, what they should expect from their child’s school and educational environment, and that parents have the power to advocate for themselves and their child. The workshop taught Alma to push back and not just accept what she…

Yizel Romero and her daughter, Daniela, attend school together at Briya — Yizel is studying to earn her Child Development Associate credential and Daniela is in prekindergarten. Together they participate in Family Time and take advantage of the school’s extensive wraparound services. This holistic two-generation approach is foundational to Briya’s success and to improving families’ educational outcomes and social and economic mobility. Briya is DC’s only two-generation school chartered to serve young children and their parents together. Briya’s unique model often means that citywide policies do not take into account the context of families attending the same school. In 2020,…

“Our immediate goal may be to train people to be medical assistants, but our ultimate aim is to help people achieve their big dreams, no matter what those dreams may be,” said Reena Gadhia, manager of Briya’s Medical Assistant (MA) Program, as she reflected upon the first MA College and Career Panel Briya hosted. During the panel, three speakers presented information about health care career pathways, college admissions, and scholarships, with the goal of helping attendees understand and envision possibilities for their future. The panel’s audience included current students and alumni from Briya’s MA Program, as well as medical assistants…

Judy Kittleson, one of Briya’s English teachers, was awarded the 2017 TIERific Teacher Excellence Award by the Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB), which oversees all charter schools in the District. She was honored at a ceremony on December 11, 2017. This award recognizes an outstanding DC public charter school teacher who demonstrates dedication, excellence, and care to their students and school. Kittleson has been teaching ESL to adults for 25 years, and 12 of those years have been at Briya. In addition to teaching English, she teaches parenting classes, mentors new teachers, and works one-on-one with students in Briya’s…

“It is a privilege to be standing here tonight with you all celebrating our successes,” Enwet Abebe said, addressing her 19 fellow Medical Assistant Program graduates at a ceremony this December. “Our class was full of intensive work and fun,” Abebe, the class valedictorian, continued. “Do you remember what we felt during the practice sessions when we began giving injections, drawing blood or even taking vitals and patient histories? There were all kinds of feelings including excitement, nervousness, frustration and more, but we did it well and now it is our daily job.” Briya’s program, which was begun in 2013…

Briya was recently ranked as a Tier 1 high-performing school in both adult education and early education for the 2016-17 school year by the DC Public Charter School Board. The DC PCSB oversees all public charter schools in the District and evaluates them annually based on common standards. Schools are then ranked in tiers according to their performance. This is the third consecutive year Briya has been ranked Tier 1 in adult education, ever since the rankings for adult education schools first began. This is the first year that early education charter schools in DC received tiered rankings. Briya was…

“It is something I wanted to do and I’m finally doing it. I am helping and making a difference,” Shenell Williams, 2014 Medical Assistant Program graduate, reflected on her MA experience during a celebration on Wednesday, August 23. Proud family and friends gathered together to celebrate the induction of the fifth class of students into Briya’s Medical Assistant Program. Christie McKay, Briya’s Executive Director, welcomed the 28 students and spoke about how proud she is of this program, its students, and its growth. Dara Koppelman, Chief Nursing Officer at Mary’s Center, also addressed guests, sharing how much she values Briya…

“Getting my diploma was challenging, but I did not give up,” Alba Hernandez said, addressing her fellow Briya high school graduates and their guests during a ceremony this June. “I felt frustrated and like I couldn’t do it, but at the same time, I knew I had to. No matter what the barriers were, my goal was to get my diploma, and I am so happy to finally graduate.” Five students earned their high school diploma through Briya’s National External Diploma Program (NEDP) in spring 2017, and they celebrated with faculty, family, and friends during a graduation ceremony. The NEDP,…

Briya Public Charter School was honored to be named a recipient of an Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant by Mayor Muriel Bowser on March 21. The grant will enable Briya to provide its student families with free legal consultations and representation through a deepened partnership with Julia M. Toro Law Firm, an immigration law firm founded by attorney Julia Toro. The funds will also provide services for parents of students at Bancroft Elementary, a longtime partner of Briya. Services funded by the grant will include on-site presentations at Know Your Rights Fairs; individual consultations; and pro bono court representation related…

Lorie Preheim, Academic Dean, represented Briya and the United States at a three-day workshop on intergenerational learning organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. The workshop, held in Hamburg, Germany, brought together family learning experts from twenty-one countries. These experts shared experiences and best practices from intergenerational learning programs in their communities, which will be used to create an evidence-based resource pack for others who are interested in starting similar programs. “It was a fascinating experience,” Preheim said. “I know a lot about family literacy in the United States, but I didn’t realize how much family literacy was going…

“Let our passion shine out with all we do and impact someone’s life for the better,” said Eden Asmelash, co-valedictorian of Briya’s third medical assistant class. “Let us always be there in someone else’s shoes, feel the pain down in our heart, and stretch out our hands to help them.” Asmelash was addressing her 18 fellow MA graduates, who were celebrating their accomplishments during ceremony this December. Co-valedictorian Rosa Ramos also spoke at the ceremony. “This past year has changed me,” Ramos said. “I had been working in a medical office, but I didn’t have enough experience and education to…

Briya Public Charter School, along with Bridges Public Charter School and Mary’s Center, celebrated the opening of their joint Fort Totten campus with an Open House this October. Together, the three organizations will offer education, health care, and social services to the Fort Totten community. Approximately 1,600 people—neighborhood residents, funders, political leaders, school families, staff, board members and others—attended the event, which included tours of the 81,000-square-foot facilities, activities for children of all ages, health screenings, food, and a short program and ribbon cutting ceremony. Jennie Niles, Deputy Mayor for Education, spoke to the attendees during the program portion of…

Briya student Maria Elena Van Maren came in first place in the ESL category of the DC Adult Education and Family Literacy Week essay contest. Another Briya student, Mayra Chavez, came in second in the category. In their essays, the students responded to a prompt about barriers they face and overcome as adult learners. As Van Maren wrote, barriers to getting her education started early: at age 11, she left school in her native Colombia to help her single mother provide for their family by cleaning houses. In her essay, she explained that she still faces many obstacles today, including…

Twenty-four new students were inducted into Briya’s Medical Assistant Program during a ceremony this fall. Gina Pistulka, Briya instructor, welcomed everyone and spoke to the incoming students about the vital work they will do as medical assistants. “You are the face of the healthcare team,” Pistulka said. “You are the one the patient will meet first. You are the one who will start to create the environment in which a person begins to heal.” “You and the students who have come before you are some of the most inspirational people I have met,” she added. “You have already shown your…

Briya’s Two-Generation Program is showcased in a video created by Digital Promise in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation. The video highlights Briya’s unique model, which enables parents to gain knowledge and skills (from basic literacy to earning a high school diploma) at the same time that their young children prepare for future success through a high-quality early education. In the video, Briya’s Executive Director, Christie McKay, names keys to Briya’s successful outcomes: Having a steady funding stream for adult education. Simultaneously viewing adult learners as parents, workers, and community members, and then creating systems that support their needs holistically “Adult…

“If I can do it, anyone can do it,” said Awa Traore, 2016 graduate of Briya’s National External Diploma Program, on earning her high school diploma. “There was a time when I thought, ‘Oh, I can’t do it.’ But you just have to keep it in your mind that you can. Everything is possible.” Traore grew up in the Ivory Coast and Mali. She came to the U.S. with her husband in 2009 knowing only a little English, and first enrolled in Briya’s Two-Generation Program in 2011 along with her infant son. “My speaking, writing and reading have improved a lot,”…

Maxine Gorham, a 2016 Briya Child Development Associate graduate, was awarded Most Outstanding Adult Student at the 2016 STARS Tribute. The tribute honors leaders in DC public charter schools. “Gorham has been an exceptional student, role model and human being, constantly showing us that determination and commitment can guide us towards our professional goals in spite of obstacles,” said Mau Castro-Trujillo, who taught Gorham’s CDA class and nominated her for the award. As a CDA student, Gorham not only worked hard to improve her own work and performed well academically, but she also welcomed opportunities to assist her classmates one-on-one….

Briya is excited to be opening a new school in the Fort Totten neighborhood in time for the 2016-17 school year! The Fort Totten campus will enable Briya to serve more students in the communities where they live, expanding the school’s services from Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant and Petworth to Fort Totten. Beginning in the fall of 2016, Briya will offer classes at Fort Totten that are part of its family literacy program, which includes adult education (English, digital literacy and hands-on parenting) and early childhood education. In the future, high school diploma and workforce development classes will also be offered…

“Reach for the sky and while you are doing so, help as many people as you can,” said Wendy Evora, valedictorian of Briya’s second medical assistant class. Evora was addressing her eighteen fellow MA graduates, who celebrated their accomplishments during a ceremony this winter. Christie McKay, Executive Director of Briya, welcomed the group and offered congratulations and encouragement. “You have chosen an important field because health is really the foundation for everyone to be happy and to have successful lives,” McKay said. “And you are going to contribute to that. You have chosen a field not just to learn but…

Graduation Speech – Wendy Evora Hello, my name is Wendy Evora. I am glad to be here tonight representing the hard work we have all done in class and in our internships. I would like to say thank you to all of our family and friends for their support. Without you, this day could not be possible. My father once told me, “No one can take knowledge away from you.”  I feel so lucky to be one of many people in our multicultural community that Briya, in partnership with Mary’s Center, has given the opportunity to reach the next step…

Briya CDA student changes lives at childcare home Paulette Sansbury, a student in Briya’s Child Development Associate program and a participant in Mary’s Center, is a shining example of how dedication and care can make a difference in people’s lives. Sansbury cares for infants and toddlers at God Is So Good Child Development Home, which she opened five years ago. “Showing children love is very important,” Sansbury said. “If children feel secure and loved, then they won’t have a problem with learning.” Eager to increase her child care knowledge, Sansbury applied to be part of DC’s Early Learning Quality Improvement…

PreK students become tree experts The 20 preK students at our Ontario Road site just finished up 10 weeks of studying trees. To begin, the children observed the parts of trees—roots, trunk, branches, leaves, and fruit—and learned the purpose of each part. They planted seeds and guessed if they would grow better in the sun or out of the sun. This experiment helped them realize that trees start as seeds and need sun and water to grow. The students also learned about the variety of resources trees provide—fruit like apples, oranges, and bananas; wood that can be used for items…

School Choice Panel prepares Briya students to make informed choices for their children Looking at school websites is one way to learn about options for your children’s education. But hearing directly from school leaders and asking them questions can be even more valuable. Family literacy students had the chance to do just that during Briya’s ninth annual School Choice Panel this January. Leaders from nine high-quality local schools—Bancroft Elementary, Bridges PCS, Bruce Monroe Elementary, DC Bilingual PCS, LAMB PCS, Mundo Verde PCS, Powell Elementary and Stokes PCS, as well as Briya—took turns describing what makes their school unique during the…

Family literacy students prepare for jobs and careers How do I get a job in DC? After a recent job preparation unit, students in Briya’s Advanced I family literacy class are well-equipped to answer that question. The students began by thinking about their skills and past experience to decide what types of jobs they’d like to pursue. In English class, students studied the vocabulary necessary for those jobs, which include teacher, waitress and housekeeper. They also learned about interviews and practiced interviewing skills. In digital literacy class, students wrote, formatted and edited their resumes using Google Docs. They learned the…

New America Report highlights successful dual language learner strategies in DC A recent report from the New America Foundation focuses on DC policies and programs, including Briya, that excel at supporting young dual language learners. The report, put out by New America’s Dual Language Learners National Work Group, points to a number of lessons policymakers in other areas of the country can learn from DC’s success. These lessons include designing programs that are tailored to each school’s needs, having committed school leadership, and using co-teaching models that integrate DLLs into the classroom. A summary of Briya’s dual-generation program is featured…

MA students practice in Georgetown’s state-of-the-art facility Briya’s Medical Assistant students had a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and collaboration during a recent trip to Georgetown University’s innovative simulation center. At the center, MA students learned from and alongside Georgetown nursing students while acting out various scenarios that could occur in their medical work. With nursing students portraying patients, the future MAs practiced taking vital signs—pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature—as they would in a clinic. Afterward, the nursing students gave them feedback on what they did well and what they could improve. MA students practiced additional skills, including…

Briya shines during 10-year charter review Briya is looking forward to the future after earning exceptional charter review results and having its charter renewed. The DC Public Charter School Board is required to conduct reviews of charter schools every five years to ensure they are meeting academic, legal and fiscal standards. Briya received outstanding results on its 10-year review, and the DC PCSB board voted to renew the charter for the standard five years. One aspect of the review was an evaluation of the school’s goal achievement, which relates to student success in preK, adult family literacy, and workforce development…

Students share and celebrate their cultures Briya’s family literacy students, who come from nearly 40 different countries, recently celebrated their many cultures during parenting class and PACT time. Students shared their countries’ food, objects, music and clothing—arroz con leche from Mexico, an outfit from Myanmar, a model of a pyramid from Egypt, a dance from El Salvador and much more. In parenting class, students learned about the benefits of sharing their cultures with their children. When listening to stories, children pick up new vocabulary, sounds and language patterns. Telling family stories is a great way for families to bond and…

Briya families advocate for high-quality early education Some of Briya’s smallest students stepped up to advocate for the importance of their education this fall. Briya preK students and their parents gathered on the grounds of the US Capitol to raise awareness of the benefits of early education during the Miles Ahead for Early Learning rally. Children had a blast running in a relay race to remind policymakers that children get miles ahead when they have high-quality early learning opportunities. US senators, representatives and education leaders then spoke about the value of investing in early education and childcare for all children….

Briya student wins AEFL Week contest with letter to councilmember Manuche Gonclaves, a student in Briya’s Advanced II family literacy class, is committed to her education in spite of obstacles that she faces as a student, parent and immigrant. Gonclaves advocated for adult learners like herself in a letter to 4th Ward councilmember Brandon Todd, which won first place in the English Language Learner category of the Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week essay contest. Essay contest entrants were prompted to write a letter to their councilmember explaining some of the obstacles they face in pursuing their education, taking…

Briya honored by White House as outstanding program in Hispanic education Briya has been named a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. This award, created in honor of the Initiative’s 25th anniversary, recognizes exceptional programs nationwide that support Latino education and opportunities. “There has been notable progress in Hispanic educational achievement, and it is due to the efforts of these Bright Spots in Hispanic Education, programs and organizations working throughout the country to help Hispanic students reach their full potential,” said Andrew Ceja, Executive Director of the Initiative. Briya was nominated…

Medical assistant class of 2016 welcomed “Always work as a team and help one another.” “Start studying the first day of school so you’re not piling it up.” “Don’t doubt yourself. Confidence is key.” This was among the advice the incoming class of Briya’s Medical Assistant (MA) Program received from previous students as they were inducted into the program during a ceremony this fall. Briya’s MA program, offered in collaboration with the school’s longtime partner Mary’s Center, runs for 12-15 months and prepares students for a career as a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA). RMAs perform administrative and clinical duties in…

First class of Briya Medical Assistants recognized The fourteen graduates from the first class of Briya’s Medical Assistant (MA) Program were celebrated at the school’s graduation and recognition ceremony on June 23, 2015. “This is a dream that has definitely come true, and I am grateful for this program and the great people that come along with it,” said Shenell Williams, one of the MA graduates, who spoke at the ceremony. The MA Program runs for 12-15 months and prepares students for careers as Registered Medical Assistants in medical offices, clinics and hospitals. Medical Assistants perform a variety of duties,…

Students earn high school diplomas from Briya “My goal is to be a good mother to my children and have them see that it is never too late to study,” said Florencia Ibarra, one of three students who earned her high school diploma from Briya this June. Ibarra, a mother of four from Mexico, started as a student in the Intermediate II class of Briya’s Family Literacy Program seven years ago. She has since improved her English enough to move to the Advanced I class and then to Advanced II, in which students are eligible to enter Briya’s National External…

Know Your Rights event provides students with valuable resources Briya students learned about their rights as workers, tenants, immigrants, and parents living in DC during Briya’s first Know Your Rights info fair on May 6. Held at Briya’s Ontario Road site, the event was an opportunity for various local organizations to share their resources and expertise with Briya students and others from the local community. “Student surveys and brainstorming with students and staff have shown that our families have a lot of need in areas like housing, jobs and legal support,” said Community Schools Coordinator Stephanie Mintz, who organized the…

Briya students shine at charter schools STARS Tribute Two Briya students, Yanira Umaña and Anabel Cruz, were honored at the 2015 STARS Tribute, an annual event that celebrates the best students, parents and school leaders in DC public charter schools. The tribute is organized by the DC Association for Chartered Public Schools. Umaña was a finalist in the category of Outstanding Adult Student. She began in Briya’s Basic II ESL/family literacy class in 2012 and has since progressed to Intermediate II. Her son, Moises Rios, has been in Briya’s Early Childhood program since infancy, and she is also mother to…

Briya students complete successful Reading Challenge Can you imagine spending over 1750 hours (73 days) reading? What about reading almost 1,300 books in 4 weeks? Briya students did just that in the past month during their Reading Challenge! From April 8 to May 8, all students in Briya’s Basic and Intermediate family literacy classes read for a total of 1,766 hours (73 days), while students in Advanced classes read a total of 1,290 books. The goal of the Reading Challenge, which Briya has held for the past 10 years, is to encourage students to incorporate more reading into their lives…

45 students graduate from CDA program Forty-five students from Briya’s Child Development Associate (CDA) Program celebrated the completion of their coursework and the beginning of their professional careers at a graduation ceremony on April 2. Briya’s Child Development Associate course prepares students for jobs such as an early childhood teacher or a licensed home daycare operator. Two classes, one in English and one in Spanish, are taught four evenings a week from September to March of each year. During the graduation ceremony, two student speakers, Diana Loughridge and Barbara Shaheed, congratulated their classmates on accomplishing the first step in realizing…

Good night and Sweet Dreamzzz: Briya students learn about sleep Following his teacher’s lead, Samuel gently places his teddy bear in its cardboard bed, tucks the yellow blanket under its chin and whispers, “Good night.” Samuel and his fellow Briya prekindergarten students were practicing bedtime routines as part of sleep education training provided by Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc., a nonprofit that educates at-risk children and their families on the importance of sleep in order to improve children’s health, well-being and academic performance. The training began with a workshop for Briya adult students in which they learned a variety of sleep-related information,…

Studies provide pre-kindergarten students with in-depth learning Pre-K classes at each of Briya’s three sites have been busy this winter doing studies on boxes, buildings, and clothing. Studies in pre-K classrooms last from six to ten weeks and allow preschoolers to dig deep into a particular topic. Boxes study at Bancroft site Pre-K students at Briya’s Bancroft site did a study on boxes. They explored and used boxes in a variety of ways, including using their imagination to convert boxes into a police car, a spaceship, a snowman and more! They tested, discussed and evaluated a pulley system and a…

Briya pre-K program adapts to better serve students The preschool program at Briya’s Ontario Road location has been expanded and improved for this school year. Instead of having one large preschool class, as the site did previously, preschoolers are now divided into two slightly smaller classes. This enables Briya to serve more students, and the small size of the classes—each has ten students and two teachers—allows each child to receive individual attention. Dedicated special education staff help work one-on-one and in small groups in each of the classes to meet individual needs and help with literacy and math. The small…

Bowser visits Briya student council meeting Mayor Elect Muriel Bowser visited Briya’s student council meeting this fall, where students asked her to continue to support Briya’s family literacy model. Bowser listened to students’ thoughts on how adult education benefits families and helps students integrate into their community. Students also expressed the need for more a new building so that more families can benefit from Briya’s services.  

Pre-K students learn through gardening This fall, preschoolers at Briya’s Ontario Road site have been learning in the garden! Children heard about how bulbs grow and looked at the different sizes of crocus, tulip, and daffodil bulbs before planting and watering them. In the spring, the children will get to see the bulbs they planted grow into flowers!  Students also planted purple and yellow pansies in a pattern and learned a song about what flowers need to grow. This hands-on learning connects to lessons about trees and the way plants grow that students have been learning in the classroom.  …

US Department of Education leaders visit Briya Dr. Libby Doggett, Deputy Secretary for Policy and Early Learning at the US Department of Education, visited Briya’s Georgia location on September 29. Sharon Darling, President and Founder of the National Center for Families Learning, and other senior advisors from the Department of Education were also in attendance. Dr. Doggett and the group toured Briya’s facilities and spent time observing adult education and early childhood classes. Briya leadership demonstrated the importance of integrated adult education and early childhood education. The federal officials were impressed and brainstormed new ways they will integrate support for…

Briya student advocates for family literacy, wins essay contest Briya student Elisabeth Hando stepped up to advocate for herself and others during Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week, September 22-26. Hando, a native French speaker from Cameroon, started as an Advanced II student at Briya this year. As an assignment in her Digital Literacy class, Hando wrote a letter to mayoral candidate and 4th Ward council-member Muriel Bowser, responding to the question, “What motivated you to go back to school, and how has that decision impacted your life and your family’s life?” Hando’s letter was selected for submission to…

Medical assistant students recognized, welcomed In an evening of celebration, students in the first and second classes of Briya’s medical assistant program participated in a recognition and induction ceremony. The class of 2014 was acknowledged for finishing their MA program coursework and for completing or being in the process of completing their 160-hour externship. These students then helped induct the class of 2015 by pinning them with an MA pin. Begun in fall 2013, the MA program is a collaboration with Briya’s longtime partner, Mary’s Center. It is an 18-month course designed to prepare students for a career as medical…

Briya students practice English and computer skills by developing how-to videos This summer, Briya’s Advanced English and Digital Literacy classes participated in a video project designed to help students improve their English and technology skills through videos that teach fellow students how to act in real-world situations. The completed videos can be found here. In their English classes, the students learned about character development, story arc and writing scripts. Then they selected topics—such as how to interview for a job, how to open a bank account and how to be safe in the street—relevant to other students. They wrote their…

On June 25, for the first time, Briya Public Charter School students were awarded high school diplomas bearing the Briya name and logo. Six students donned cap and gown for the graduation ceremony. These Briya students spent many years studying English, math, computers, parenting, critical thinking and life skills  in order to earn their diplomas through the National External Diploma Program (NEDP). NEDP, overseen in the District of Columbia by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, is a nationally-recognized program for the assessment of high school-level skills in adults.   To see pictures from this year’s graduation and…

Briya PCS Builds Community Schools Program As one of six groups awarded DC community school grants for the 2013-14 school year, Briya is ramping up services to meet families’ diverse needs both in and out of the classroom. In January, social worker Stephanie Mintz joined Briya’s staff as community schools coordinator. Stephanie’s role is to engage teachers, staff, students and partners so that the school can act as a hub for family services. This includes facilitating on-site mental health services, referrals to Mary’s Center and outreach to families. Stephanie will also serve Bancroft Elementary School in a similar capacity. Stephanie has nearly 20…