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1929

Powell Elementary was built as a two-story school and named after William B. Powell, the city’s superintendent of public schools and co-founder of the National Geographic Society.


1959

The building had its first expansion, adding another wing.


2009

DCPS had considered closing Powell in 2007 due to low enrollment (less than 200 students). In 2009, staff and families canvassed the neighborhood to support enrollment and rallied to keep the school open.


2011

The Dual Language program was introduced to Powell, increasing enrollment, and the school was approved for a $40 million modernization project.

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2014

President Barack Obama visited Powell, where he announced the fiscal year 2015 budget and spoke about Powell's early childhood education program.


2015

The final phase of the school’s modernization expansion is complete.

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2019

Powell is a 4-star school! The Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE)  released the second annual citywide School Report Card that includes information about how every public school in DC performed in school year 2018-2019. For the 2018-2019 school year, Powell received a rating of four stars, which was an increase of one star from previous school year.