The SWW high school community -- parents, students, alumni and concerned supporters -- have strong concerns about the merger of School Without Walls High School and Francis Stevens, especially its impact on the education of our high school children. Chancellor Kaya Henderson and DCPS have proceeded with the merger of Francis Stevens and School Without Walls High School over the objection of parents and without addressing the strong opposing sentiment of the working group DCPS established. Movement forward on the merger continues without any transparency into what the plan for the schools will be and no community dialogue or input.

We, the signers of this petition, call on Chancellor Henderson to act in the best interest of SWW high school students and do the following:

1. Appoint a full-time Principal dedicated to, located at, and advocating for the best interests of School Without Walls High School. 

2. Make the permanent decision that no SWW high school student will have to attend classes at Francis Stevens nearly a mile away from the existing high school campus across busy trafficked streets.

3. Separate the budgets of SWW High School and Francis Stevens to provide parents of both schools transparency and accountability in how their children's education dollars are being managed.

4. Present a clear, coherent and workable plan for the merger to the community -- which to date has not been made available -- before any further merger steps are allowed.

School Without Walls High School exists to serve our high school students and deserves to be treated as an asset to the city. This is our children's education and they deserve better from DCPS than to have their interests fall on deaf ears. Anything short of a transparent process that is guided by a realistic plan is unacceptable to their future.

Sign today!