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, sitting steps, and a “green”, where we hold dance competitions and community meetings.

On most Thursdays, we host community meeting at 8:30am. Anyone is welcome! Come and experience the best of our learning community.