“My daughter is at a crucial point in her life and her education, but thankfully
her school is giving her what she needs to
succeed. Now she comes home
everyday proud of her grades, saying,
‘Mommy, look what I got on my
test!
Look what I got on my paper!’”
—Valarie Garland, WSF Scholarship Parent
The Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1993 to increase educational opportunities for low-income students and families in Washington, D.C. To accomplish this, we operate two distinct K-12 scholarship programs: the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program (D.C. OSP) and the Signature Scholarship Program (SSP).
WSF is the largest Kindergarten through 12th grade scholarship-granting organization in the District, distributing nearly $76.3 million in privately- and publicly-funded scholarships and serving nearly 7,300 students in 16 years of operation. During the current school year (2008-2009), we are working with over 2,000 D.C. students – and their families – who are attending nearly 90 area-private schools through both of our programs.
Thanks to all those who are supporting the Washington Scholarship Fund and our work to ensure D.C. students have access to the learning environments that are best for them. We invite you to contact WSF directly to make a donation, or give easily online through Network for Good.
Stories of Success
The Jordan Family
Malcolm and Charlita Jordan appreciate having quality choices for where to send their four children to school in Washington, D.C. All four participate in WSF’s D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Says Malcolm, “I want to make sure my children can get the best educations offered, making sure they can get the best out of life.” And all three children are getting exactly what they need. Read the Jordan family’s story here.
The Urquilla Family
Blanca Urquilla has three children and all of them have used scholarships through WSF’s Signature Scholarship Program. Her two oldest are in college and her youngest is in the 2nd grade. Blanca has been using WSF scholarships “for as long as I can remember.” Without these opportunities, Blanca has no idea where her children would be - “possibly on the streets,” she says. Read the Urquilla family’s story here.
The Williamson Family
Anquanette Williamson is determined to have her children in schools that are best for them. “My kids’ educations mean the world to me. You saw what happened with Obama, right? I’m looking for the next President right here!” she says as she points to her children. In 2004, Anquanette found out about the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program through a co-worker whose daughter received a scholarship, and she also heard an advertisement on the radio. Read the Williamson family’s story here.
The Vargas Family
Mr. Domingo Vargas has two boys who have been using scholarships through WSF’s Signature Scholarship Program for many years. Domingo is grateful that, because of the scholarship program, he hasn’t ever had to worry about the quality of his sons’ educations, their behavior, their study habits, or their safety. “Without the scholarships,” Domingo says, “there’s no way I’d be able to send my boys to these high quality schools. They have a great future ahead of them.” Read the Vargas family’s story here.
News, Events, and Announcements
For Families
- PLEASE NOTE: We’ve Moved! See our new address here.
- We are no longer accepting D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program or Signature Scholarship Program applications for the 2009-2010 school year. Please contact our office to get more information about our programs.
WSF News
- NEW! The Washington Post writes this editorial urging Congress and local lawmakers to support bipartisan efforts led by Sen. Lieberman to preserve the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program before it’s too late.
- WSF receives fourth consecutive 4-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. Only 7% of the charities they evaluate have received four consecutive 4-star ratings. Read more here.
- Senator Dick Durbin softens his opposition towards the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program as the Senate prepares to consider a reauthorization bill. Read The Washington Post article and editorial, and The Wall Street Journal article.
- The reading effects of the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program show the largest achievement impact of any education policy program yet evaluated in a randomized control trial by the U.S. Department of Education, says Patrick Wolf of the University of Arkansas. Read more here.
- Poll sponsored by education reform groups shows D.C. residents overwhelmingly support the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Read more from D.C. Children First.
- D.C. City Council Members call on Education Secretary Duncan and Mayor Fenty to continue the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Read more from D.C. Children First.
- 14 U.S. Senators, including Sen. Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. Lieberman (I-CT), ask Secretary Duncan to reverse his recent decision to refuse D.C. Opportunity Scholarships for 200 new and eligible applicants, even though funds were already appropriated. Read the letter here.