(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Bowser today cut the ribbon at the newly modernized Boone Elementary School, formerly Orr Elementary, in Ward 8. Since 2015, the Bowser Administration has fully or partially modernized 14 schools, including Boone and five other schools that will open in the fall of 2018. Through these modernizations, Mayor Bowser has focused on building functional spaces that will make it easier for our students and educators to come to school every day and learn and play in a conducive space.
“What the students here will get is what all students deserve – a world class facility right here at Boone Elementary,” said Mayor Bowser. “I am not only proud of this new state of the art facility, but beyond excited to rename the school after a great native Washingtonian in Lawrence E. Boone, who represented our DC Values at its best.”
During the modernization process, the name of the school changed from Orr Elementary to Lawrence E. Boone Elementary School. Lawrence E. Boone was the principal who led the school for more than two decades from 1973 to 1996. Boone, who was born in 1936 and passed in 2013, was a native Washingtonian who grew up in Southeast DC.
This $52 million dollar investment in new construction and renovations at the Boone creates a space that increases the student capacity from less than 400 students to 468 students. This modernization project is the first major renovation or construction on the campus since 1974, whose design pursues a LEED Gold Certification.
“Mayor Bowser’s School Modernization Project has set out a vision for the Department of General Services (DGS) to ensure that all DC schools are positive learning environments, and we have been proud to deliver this at Boone,” said Director Greer Gillis, Department of General Services (DGS).
The new facility now includes:
- an inviting welcoming area;
- an updated library and media center;
- newly designed classrooms, common spaces, and corridors;
- large music rooms and other performing arts spaces;
- new furniture and equipment;
- the latest educational technology including state of the art smart boards; and
- art installations by DC and other artists.
The Mayor was joined at the announcement by Interim Deputy Mayor Ahnna Smith, Interim DCPS Chancellor Dr. Amanda Alexander, Director of DGS Greer Gillis, Councilmember Trayon White, Boone Elementary School Principal Dr. Carolyn Jackson-King, and Boone Elementary School Student Kori Robinson.