Construction

Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy
Parkside campus

School Information: 700 students in grades 6-12
Facility: 79,612 square feet located at 3701 Hayes Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019
Project Cost: $15.1 million, $190/sf
Building Hope Investment: $5 million
Schedule: Acquired land in 2004; construction completed September 2005.

Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy was founded in 1998 to provide inner-city students with a high-quality education that will prepare them for college and civic engagement. In 2004, the school decided to expand to a second campus for middle and high school students located in an underserved area of the District of Columbia with a high poverty rate.

Due to the school’s projected enrollment at the time of land purchase and building construction, it was unable to obtain commercial financing for the project. Building Hope formed a separate foundation, acquired the land on the school’s behalf, and oversaw construction of the building in only nine months. In September 2005, the school moved into its new, state-of-the-art facility that includes 25 classrooms, two science laboratories, two art studios, a library, a computer lab, a media center, a multipurpose cafeteria/auditorium, and a gymnasium. Student enrollment is 100% minority with a high percentage eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. 

The Building Hope/Parkside Foundation leases the building to the school at a below-market rate. In 2007, the school will purchase the property from Building Hope for the amount of the outstanding debt rather than its current market value.

“Building Hope’s number one priority is to clear the path for the school to succeed.  They make a 110 percent commitment, walking with you every step of the way. It’s a true partnership based on a clear understanding of what each organization does best.”

Irasema Salcido, Founder and CEO, Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy

Photo credits: Maxwell Mackenzie for Building Hope