July 30, 2009

CONTACT: Tony Robinson, D.C., 202-698-7700
Monique Waters, D.C.; 202-553-8182
Michelle Sherrard, GW; 202-994-1423

MAYOR FENTY, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT KNAPP HIGHLIGHT PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS AT SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS HIGH SCHOOL
Grand Opening to Celebrate Extensive Renovations to Historic Building

WASHINGTON -- Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, George Washington University President Steven Knapp, Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM) Executive Director AllenY. Lew, joined the School Without Walls (SWW) student body for a ribbon cutting and grand reopening ceremony celebrating long-awaited renovations. View Photo Gallery

The $39 million historic restoration project began in April, 2008 and combines the existing 118-year-old former Grant Elementary School structure with a beautiful new 68,000 square foot, state-of-the-art learning environment. The new facility can house up to 100 more students than the original structure.

"This new building has set a high bar for future high school modernizations," said Mayor Fenty. "I commend Director Lew and his team for their hard work in helping transform School Without Walls into a facility that District students deserve."

Renovations to the historic building include:
- 68,00 square foot new addition
- Updated HVAC, plumbing, sprinkling, and electrical systems
- Brickwork exterior restoration
- Historic window restoration
- New slate roof
- Roofing brickwork restoration
- Interior restoration work
- Ceramic tile flooring in bathrooms
- Historical wood floor restoration
- Finished carpentry in the classrooms
- New light fixtures
- Acoustical ceiling panels
- New stairway in the new building
- Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant elevator
- Updated information technology and security video systems

"I want to thank my program management team for rising to the task and doing a wonderful job," OPEFM Executive Director Allen Y. Lew said. "The original 1882 structure was in relatively sound condition, but interior spaces required new finishes and severely obsolete existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life-safety systems required replacement to meet current building code and educational requirements."

Since 1980, SWW and GW have collaborated and shared academic space and resources as SWW. In 2006, a formal memorandum of understanding was executed. The agreement entailed the $12 million sale of the SWW parking lot and additional development rights that allowed GW to construct a new residence hall, while supplying the additional financing necessary for the new SWW addition and restoration.

"This partnership is a win-win for District students and GW. We are proud of our partnership with the School Without Walls, and, with the new facilities in place, we are eager to begin a new chapter of academic collaboration," said President Knapp.

Current programmatic efforts include facilities sharing, teaching collaborations, internships for GW graduate students and educational opportunities for SWW students and faculty to enroll for free in GW classes.  Beginning this year, GW is introducing a more structured exposure program for SWW students that will help them maximize the experience of taking college courses at GW.  In addition, a select group of 14 SWW students will participate this year in a new special program enabling them to earn an Associates Degree from GW during their junior and senior years at SWW.  SWW students will also utilize GW's research, recreational, dining and assembly resources.

"The completion of the School Without Walls building renovation project propels the school into the 21st century," Principal Richard Trogisch said. "The students and faculty will have state-of- the- art 21st century classrooms with Promethean boards, wireless computer access through the building, and video conferencing capability to link with our sister schools in Ghana and Nigeria."

"My gratitude to Mayor Fenty, Director Lew and the OPEFM Team for helping us to ensure that the standard of excellence School Without Walls demonstrates in the classroom is also reflected in their new and improved facilities," Chancellor Rhee said.

The SWW project has already gained national recognition. In 2008, they received the coveted Design Share Merit Award for Innovative School Design. The Design Share Merit Award is a universally recognized program and focuses on the design of innovative learning environments.

SWW is expected to achieve LEED for Schools Silver, in compliance with the US Green Building Council's LEED for Schools 2007 certification criteria.

The project was designed by Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architects (EEK) and was built by Turner Construction Company.

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