Two Rivers is a network of high-performing public schools with a powerful mission.

Young Elementary School

About Young Elementary School

At Young, we emphasize interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. We focus on the whole child, recognizing the importance of character education and supporting students’ social-emotional needs while helping them achieve academic excellence.

Young Elementary Faculty & Staff
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Founded

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Students

Ava’s Problem Statement

See Ava’s answer to: “How can we use stories that utilize fact and fiction to challenge the role of the antagonist and protagonist to build empathy for all characters?”

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Rourke’s Problem Statement

See Rourke’s answer to: “How can we use stories that utilize fact and fiction to challenge the role of the antagonist and protagonist to build empathy for all characters?”

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Jason & Donald’s Presentation

Check out Jason & Donald’s climate change presentation, called “Earth’s Rebirth,” here!

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Lucy’s Drawing – African American Civil Rights Memorial

Character Development

In fourth through eighth grades, students present their learning at their student-led-conferences twice a year. During these conferences, each student shares both the work they’ve done and who they are as learners with the adults in their lives that can help them reach their goals.

High-Quality Student Work

The Prompt

Students come to DC all the time on class trips to learn about the city, because it’s the Nation’s Capital. Oftentimes they only see the federal history of DC. How do we help students to also understand that DC has a rich local history?

3rd Grade Class Example Responses

Young Elementary Leadership Team

Megan DeRitter

Principal

Delonna Gibbs

Assistant Principal

Kimberly Colley

Campus Director of Special Education

Ralph Ogundiran

Dean of Students

Follow Us @tworiverspcs

Quick Links

Family School Association
Faculty & Staff
ParentSquare
Lunch Menu

Our Story

Charles Young Elementary School was founded in 1931; it was shuttered in 2008 by DCPS and in August 2015 reopened after extensive renovation as Two Rivers at Young (TRY). The school was named after Colonel Charles Young, the first Black superintendent of the National Park Service, first Black military attache, and highest ranked Black military officer until his death in 1924.

The “Hilltop Campus”, which includes Young Elementary along with three other DC Public School buildings, was a planned, segregated public educational campus in the District of Columbia from 1929 to 1954. In 2016, this entire campus earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places Program. A tight-knit African-American community blossomed in the adjacent neighborhoods, which include Langston Carver and Kingman Park. In the year prior to opening TRY, we walked these neighborhoods and handed out flyers announcing the return of Young but now as part of the Two Rivers network.

TRY boasts a tremendous front lawn where the community has potlucks, jam sessions, and graduation ceremonies. Inside the building, you will find the original stage, reclaimed wood in the benches, and some features that are common in all Two Rivers buildings: lots of glass and light, and sitting steps, where we hold dance competitions and community meetings.

Most Thursdays at 8:30 AM, we host a Community Meeting in the Community Room—and everyone is welcome! Join us to experience the heart of our learning community in action.

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