Educational Institutions of
        Washington, DC
         

        school

        Colleges and Universities

        Columbian College 

        (now part of Geo.Washington Univ.)

        It was the home of the city's first medical and law schools.  The college was founded by a group of Baptists ministers and laymen inspired by Rev. Luther Rice.  Among patrons contributing funds for land and buildings were James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and John C. Calhoun.  Congress was petitioned for a charter and a nondenominational was granted Feb. 9,1821 and the college opened eleven months later.  The Rev. Dr. William Staughton was elected the College's first President in May 1821.  For many years the campus was located on the heights above the city (known as "College Hill") on approximately 47 acres north of Boundary Street (now Florida Ave.) near 14th Street and Columbia Road. 

        Federal City (D.C. University)

        Merged with Miner Teachers College and Washington Technical Institute in 1976 to form University of the District of Columbia.

        Kendall (now Gallaudet, National Deaf Mute College)

        The college was begun circa 1880.  The school for the deaf was the first of its kind in the world.  It was founded by Amos Kendall, Postmaster General during President Jackson's tenure.  It was located on his estate called Kendall Green (Florida Ave. and 7th Streets NE).  Kendall persuated Congress to incorporate the school in 1857.  Edward Gallaudet ran the school for 53 years. 

        Miners Teachers College

        The college was started by Howard University in 1873 in memory of Myrtilla Miner, a young white woman who had opened a school for black girls in Washington before the Civil War.  In 1976 Miner College, Washinton Technical Institute and Federal City College merged to form the University of the District of Columbia.

        Washington Technical Institute (D.C. University)

        Merged with Miner Teachers College and Federal City College in 1976 to form University of the District of Columbia.

        American University

        Formerly opened in 1914, the university is located at Loughborough Road and Massachusetts Avenue, a site chosen by Methodist bishop John Fletcher Hurst in 1890.

        Catholic University

        Catholic University was established on land that had been the estate of Margaret Bayard and Samuel Harrison Smith in years following the founding of the Federal City.  The university was intended to provide education for both clergy and laity.  The cornerstone was laid in 1888 by His Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. 

        University of the District of Columbia

        Formed in 1976 from Miner Teachers College, the Washington Technical Institute and Federal City College.

        Georgetown University

        Georgetown University (library link) was founded in 1789 by John Carroll of Maryland, the first American archbishop.  It was formed for students of every religious profession.  Contributions came from both Catholic and Protestant families.  It was the first Catholic institution of higher learning in the United States.  Georgetown Univ. president from 1874 to 1882 was Father Patrick J. Healy, the first black to lead a major white university. 

        1911 Commencement Program (Law Dept.)

        George Washington University

        See Columbian College.  Located in what is called "Foggy Bottom", situated between Rock Creek and Tiber Creek.

        Howard University

        Called the "Capstone of Negro Education".  Originally formed for training of black preachers.  Located on Florida Avenue at Seventh Street NW, it was established in 1867 by a special act of Congress with funds provided through the Freedmen's Bureau headed by General Oliver O.Howard, the main founder.  Soon after opening it had 400 students, with a hospital being started in 1862. 

        National University

        The National University was incorporated on May 5, 1870, with a longterm plan to organize six colleges under one board of regents and to make the President of the United States exofficio Chancellor of the University. The Law Department of the University was organized and went into operation in October 1870. Originally located at 428 7th Street, NW, it later relocated to 925 F Street, NW.

        1911 Commencement Program (Law School)


        Schools (primary and secondary)

        Armstrong
        With the start of the industrial and manual training programs in 1873, Armstrong and McKinley Technical High Schools were founded.

        Business High
        Founded circa 1899.

        Costin School
        Established in the 1800's by Louisa Parke Costin in her father's home (William Costin) on Capitol Hill.  Located on a street south, under the shadow of the Capitol.  (See         Notable African Americans)

        Custis School
        A school for white boys located in the Harlow Building at the nortwest corner of Cameron and Royal Streets in Alexandria. 

        Dunbar High (Preparatory)
        The first high school in the city for any race.  It was begun in 1870 as Prepatory High School for blacks.  It began in the basement of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church, but later in 1916 moved to First and N Streets NW, at which time it was renamed Dunbar for the black poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.  Its early principals included the first black woman to receive a college degree in America and the first black man to graduate from Harvard.  In 1899 Dunbar students scored higher in city examinations than students at either white school.  In 1955 Dunbar became part of the neighborhood school system.

        Episcopal High
        Founded in 1839 on Seminary (Holy) Hill.

        First Division
        No information located.

        Fourth Division
        No information located.

        Franklin School
        Finished in 1869, the school was located at 13th and K Streets NW, it was a part of the white school system and considered one of the finest school buildings in the city.  The design by Adolph Cluss won prizes in design from around the world.  It still stands on Franklin Square and is a District landmark.

        Georgetown Seminary
        A very popular school during that period, with students coming from every state and Canada.

        Hallowell
        Built in Alexandria between 179395 and run by Quaker Benjamin Hallowell. A school for negro girls.

        Jefferson Stables
        No information located.

        Lancaster School
        Lancaster School in Georgetown used a unique approach (Lancastrian) developed by an English Quaker, with emphasis on having the pupils instruct each other.  The school operated for 32 years at 3126 O Street and the building still stands. 

        Lafayette Elementary School
        NOW ON SALE         Lafayette Life: Words and Images Since 1928, by Jane Donovan and Brian McClure. Foreword by Harry Jaffe and Introduction by Howard Norman.

        Lee School
        Located in the Stuart Building on King Street, Alexandria; this was a school for white girls. 

        MacArthur Blvd.
        A oneroom wooden schoolhouse built in 1874; it was used until 1928.

        Maret
        On the lands of "Woodley", built circa 1800 by Philip Barton Key, Maret School began in 1950.  It still stands at 3000 Cathedral Avenue near the National Cathedral.

        McKinley

        From 1940 Handbook--Property is located at Second and T Streets, NE.  There are 3 buildings, the main building, the gymnasium and the armory.  All are connected.  The actual front of the buildings overlook Tech's plaza and stadium.  The main building has 3 stories and approximately 3 hundred and fifty rooms.  The gym and armory are located at Second and R Streets.  They may be reached by following the first floor corridor through the passage, or by entering the plaza.  McKinley begin in 1885 with a Congressional appropriation of $195,000 during 1897-99 for construction.  Formal dedication was in 1903 as "McKinley Technical Manual School. 

        Miss Lydia English's Female Seminary
        Housed at 3017 N Street and then later at 30th Street, the building still stands on N Street is a private house.  

        Peabody School
        Located in the Orphan Asylum on Wolfe Street in Alexandria, this school was for white girls.

        Seventh Division School
        No information location.

        Sidwell Friends
        The Sidwell Friends School bought "The Highlands" on Wisconsin Avenue, which originally was purchased in 1817 by Joseph Nourse and remained in Nourse family until 1920 when it was sold to Admiral Cary Grayson, chairman of the American Red Cross.  The Admiral's widow sold it to the School in 1956.  Most of the extensive gardens are now gone.

        Snowden School
        A school for Negro boys, erected by the Freedmen's Bureau was located on Pitt Street in Alexandria.

        Stevens
        Built in 1878 at 21st and K Streets NW and continues to be in use.

        Sumner
        Located at 17th and M Streets NW, Sumner was designed by Adolph Cluss and built in 1871.  It was the headquarters of the black school system and is now a District landmark.

        Washington School
        The only schoolhouse owned by Alexandria City, which was endowed by George Washington in 1785.  It was a school for white boys.

        Western High
        No information located.

        I have located little or no information for several of the above mentioned schools and would greatly appreciate historical facts, etc. about them.  If you have information to contribute about any of the above listed institutions or other colleges, universities, schools (private or public) in the Washington, DC area, please contact   Web Coordinator .