Our small classes and dedicated teachers and staff ensure that each student has the opportunity to form a meaningful relationship with an adult who will guide and encourage him or her throughout high school and college.
Our teachers bring a range of experience to the classroom More than 90% of Thurgood Marshall Academy’s teachers have taught for three years or more. Our teachers meet the Highly Qualified Teacher designation of the No Child Left Behind Act, which means they have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, teachers must have earned a bachelor or advanced degree in their teaching field, passed a content-area teaching exam, or possess National Board Certification in that subject. Thurgood Marshall Academy’s intensive professional development program ensures that every teacher is equipped to help students achieve academic success.
Teachers are constantly improving and expanding the scope of classroom offerings, including adding new advanced classes each year and making sure students are striving for success in these challenging courses. Last year, 19% of students tested at Thurgood Marshall Academy earned marks that qualified them for college credit, compared with just 6% for students in the District of Columbia overall.
We know that all of our students are capable of not just learning, but excelling, and we are committed to teaching until they’ve mastered the content. We evaluate frequently so we can pinpoint exactly what students have learned and where they’re struggling. If they don’t get it the first time, the second, or even the third, we find new ways of presenting the material until students learn it. No excuses are accepted for not learning well, or for not teaching well. Every teacher in the building is willing to work with any student seeking help, whenever or wherever help is needed.
Outside the classroom or office door of each teacher or staff member hangs a college pennant from the individual’s alma mater, reminding students of their teachers’ own educational achievements and inviting students to ask questions about the teachers’ college experience.