Thurgood Marshall Academy

Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School Thurgood Marshall Academy
File:Justice Scales
Address
2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE Washington, DC United States
Information
Type	Law-themed, college preparatory
Established	2001
School district	DC Public Charter School Board
Grades	9-12
Gender	Co-educational
Enrollment	390 Students
Color(s)	Burgundy and White
Athletics	Flag football, basketball, volleyball
Mascot	Warrior
Nickname	TMA
Accreditation	Middle States
Newspaper	The TMA Brief
Website	www.thurgoodmarshallacademy.org

Thurgood Marshall Academy is a charter school in Washington, D.C. and is the first law-themed school in DC. Thurgood Marshall Academy was founded based on the principles of Justice Thurgood Marshall that every child should have the right to a world-class education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school is located in the historic Anacostia region of Washington D.C.

History

Thurgood Marshall Academy grew out of the experience of law students and professors in the DC Street Law clinical program at Georgetown University Law Center. They collaborated with education experts and community members to create a school that would provide committed students with the academic and youth development resources they need to succeed and become active citizens. Thurgood Marshall Academy opened in 2001 serving 80 9th-graders in a rented church basement; the school added a grade each year. In 2005, the school renovated, expanded, and moved into its state-of-art permanent facility at the gateway to Historic Anacostia. In 2009, the school opened a brand-new gymnasium to be shared with next-door A. Kiger Savoy Elementary, creating a full-service educational campus to meet a range of youth development needs in Ward 8. The school also broke ground for an expanded school garden shared with Savoy Elementary School. Thurgood Marshall Academy earned a full continuance of its charter in 2007 and full accreditation in 2008.

Academics

Thurgood Marshall Academy’s curriculum and instruction are designed to prepare students for the rigor of a college education. The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum rich in electives and advanced courses, but since the majority of its students enter the 9th grade with 5th or 6th grade reading and math skills, the college-preparatory coursework must also be coupled with intense remediation. Instructional planning is guided by a benchmark assessment program that is aligned to District of Columbia learning standards and the DC Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS). A benchmark assessment program makes it possible for teachers to use a battery of data to differentiate instruction, measure mastery of standards, and modify teaching plans as necessary. Additionally, TMA offers Honors and AP courses including AP Literature, AP U.S. History, and AP U.S. Government and Politics.

Faculty ensure that students are exposed to opportunities that allow them to actively engage in our democratic society and gain a solid understanding of the legal system. With activities that often connect students with volunteer lawyers, students are also exposed to a dynamic professional sector of the District community, with the opportunity to develop relationships with adult mentors and role models.

Law Theme

Thurgood Marshall Academy offers a number of programs that speak to its law theme, including: --Law Days, which give 9th graders their first formal exposure to the world of law. Held once a month during the school year, Law Day introduces students to specific cases or legal issues and explores the history and underlying legal principles involved. Each law firm organizes legal seminars for Thurgood Marshall Academy students in their downtown offices. This real-world grounding of abstract legal concepts gives students a powerful example of the daily application of enduring legal principles.

--Law Firm Tutoring, a program that helps make this a reality for our students by not only providing academic enrichment but also by acquainting students with a professional work environment and with people who have succeeded by completing higher education. On Tuesdays during the school year, 11th graders travel by bus to one of several downtown law firms, where legal professionals provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.

--The Youth Judicial Internship Program, which provides upperclassmen with real-life legal exposure and experiences by placing them as interns for judges at the DC Superior Court and US District Court.

--Courses in DC History, Introduction to Law, and Street Law

Student life

Students at Thurgood Marshall strive for excellence in not only academics, but also in the many extracurricular activities provided for the student at TMA. There are nearly 25 different extra-curriculars at TMA, like Drama Club, Debate, Flag football, Anti-Defamation League, VYBE, The TMA Brief newspaper, and many others. The extra-curricular programs are mainly focused on student enrichment, community service or team-building activities. The school provides daily Homework Help for students from 3:30 to 5:45pm for anyone needing help with assignments. Students compete in the Washington Charter School League in flag football, boys' and girls' basketball, and volleyball.

Facility

Thurgood Marshall Academy has a building with approximately 13 classrooms, and a library holding over 10,000 volumes. Also the facility contains an outdoor classroom and a moot courtroom located on the upper level.

Also, in School Year 2009-2010, a new gym facility, shared with Savoy Elementary School, was opened after approximately a year and a half of construction. Inaugurated in December 2009, "The Supreme Court(in coloration with Justice Thurgood Marshall)", the nickname for the academy's basketball facility is now used for sporting events, gym and health classes, class meetings and school-wide events.

Going Green

Through the educators in the science field and other faculty sponsors at Thurgood Marshall Academy,in the past years the school has taken steps to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Along with the established of the TMA Green Club, the school now has an extensive organic garden with home-grown vegetables, 15 solar panels on the roof of the school. The school won the 2011 Mayor's Environmental Award for Excellence by an Educational Facility for its efforts.

Alumni

100% of the students have been accepted to a college or university. Students receive college counseling from the school's college counselor. TMA offers advisors, legal education taught by lawyers and law students, a clinical counselor, classroom technology, and a summer enrichment program for incoming students.

Awards and Media

The school was ranked as a Bronze Medal School in U.S. News and World Report's ranking in 2010.

CBS Evening News featured the school in its broadcast in June 2010.

External links

• Official website