PLPCS 2012

Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School

At Lighthouse Academies, we prepare our scholars through rigorous programs that provide them with a foundation that will allow them to succeed in and graduate from college. Our unique arts-infused curriculum, emphasis on social development and integration of diverse cultural opportunities augments learning and broadens horizons.

About

Quick Facts

Number of Scholars: 321
Grades: Pre-School through 6th
Date Opened:
Principal: Ramon Richardson

Features

  • One of DC's Top Performing Schools based on DC-CAS results
  • Rigorous arts-infused college prep program
  • Saturday SHINE Academy
  • Second Step program (promoting community & anti-bullying culture)

Annual Events

  • College Visits for Upper Academy Students
  • Family Literacy Night
  • Math Night
  • Scholastic Book Fair
  • Spelling Bee
  • Art Exhibit

Extracurricular Activities

  • Cheerleading
  • Partnership with Turkey Thicket Recreation Center for after-school sports programs
  • Piano/Keyboarding

Partnerships

  • Teach For America
  • American University Freshman Volunteers
  • District of Columbia Arts Collaborative
  • Catholic University of America Jumpstart

Announcements

Open House Visits

Every Wednesday in February, we will hold one morning and one evening Open House session.  Our morning session will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M.  Our evening session will be held from 6:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.  If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please make a reservation with us by either calling the school or sending an email to our Office Assistant, Ms. Maria Flowers, at mflowers@lighthouse-academies.org.

We are located at 4401 8th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017.  We are behind Providence Hospital off of South Dakota Avenue & 12th Street.

Charter Renewed

PLPCS granted approval to continue through 2016! Click here for full details.

Calendar

January

  • January 13: End of 2nd Marking Period
  • January 16: Martin Luther King Day - NO SCHOOL
  • January 25: Monthly Parent Night (6:30 pm)
  • January 25: School Spelling Bee

February

  • February 1: Open House
  • February 3: Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • February 6: No School for Students
  • February 8: Open House
  • February 10: End of Term Advisory Awards Ceremony
  • February 15: Open House
  • February 22: Open House
  • February 29: Open House

March

  • March 7: Application Deadline for Enrollment for 2012-2013 School Year
  • March 14: Lottery for Enrollment
PLPCS Artwork Work Hard Get Smart by Angel
"Our school holds us to high expectations" --PLPCS Student

Documents & Links

Latest Documents

Student Family Handbooks

Board of Trustees

Document Archive

Board of Trustees

NCLB Reports

School Calendars

School News

Student Applications

Student Family Handbooks

Weekly Newsletters

School Leaders

Principal

Ramon Richardson

Ramon Richardson
Mr. Richardson graduated from the University of California, at Los Angeles, in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Upon graduating from UCLA, he committed five years to teaching elementary students in the Compton Unified School District, at Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School, as a member of Teach For America. After teaching for five years in Compton, Mr. Richardson attended Howard University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate. After graduating with his J.D., he practiced law as commercial litigator at Drinker Biddle & Reath. While working at Drinker, he also sat on Potomac Lighthouse’s Board of Directors, as a member of the board and as the Education subcommittee chairperson. Ultimately, Mr. Richardson left the legal field when he realized that as a commercial litigator he did not have an impact in the efforts to close the achievement gap for urban kids and our scholars at Potomac Lighthouse.
Director of Instruction, Lower Academy

Jacey Natanzon

While studying in Boston attending Northeastern University, Mrs. Natanzon worked in many facets of education. She then went on to get her Master’s in Education and Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University. After her seven years working in education and studying in Boston, she then relocated to Washington, D.C. and became a founding 2nd/3rd grade looping teacher at Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School. Her students won highest in the network in Literacy before Mrs. Natanzon was asked to be the Teacher Leader Fellow, and then the Director of Instruction. While Director of Instruction, two of her teachers won highest in the network and the school received the Founder’s Trophy. This will be her 7th year at PLPCS working with some of the most amazing scholars!
Director of Instruction, Upper Academy

James Shephard

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Shepard received his B.A. from The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He received his graduate degree in education from Howard University through a partnership program in Prince George’s County Schools called, African-American Males into Teaching. After teaching for three years in Prince George’s County School District and receiving the Outstanding Elementary teacher Award for 1997, Mr. Shepard took his teaching talents to the District of Columbia and began working for Friendship Public Charter Schools in 1998. It was during his tenure there that he was selected by New Leaders for News Schools in 2005, a program that develops and supports dynamic school leaders. Mr. Shepard served as the Upper School Principal at the Arts and Technology Academy, where he continued his work in improving the lives of district students by providing them excellent educational opportunities. Mr. Shephard also holds a Master in Education Administration from Trinity University. One of his favorite quotes is “Teaching is truly the noblest and most important profession of all, because we influence the past, present and future.”
Director of Support Services

Phil Bailey

Before his arrival at PLPCS, Mr. Bailey served three years as an attorney within the Bureau of Competition at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC. His educational background includes a 2008 Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law and a 2005 Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing from Delaware State University. Outside of PLPCS, Mr. Bailey continually works to effectuate change among the youth in his community through his coaching position with the Silver Spring Saints youth football organization.

Apply

Become a Lighthouse Academy Student

Discover, achieve and prepare for success in college and beyond. We will prepare your student academically, socially and culturally to succeed in and graduate from college.  We will develop your student’s critical decision-making skills to prepare him/her for success in life.  Lighthouse Academies offers small schools, small class sizes, longer school year, and longer school day so we can provide students with a high quality education. Don’t wait – apply now to transform your child’s future!

Join Our Team

Are you fearless, driven and forward-thinking? We need people who want to teach, lead and transform the lives of our students. We need people who share our passion for creativity and innovation. We are committed to developing the capacity of our staff with 20 professional days each year, individual coaching and collaboration. Join us in transforming children’s futures.

Apply for a position »

Contact

Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter School

4401 8th Street NE Washington DC 20017 USA

38.9425926 -76.9945831
Tel: 202-526-6003
Fax: 202-526-6005

Send Us a Message