“Castle on the hill” is what locals affectionately call Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus. It stands as a beacon of learning in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. This combined middle and high school has a rich history. It has shaped countless lives over the decades.
Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus has a story that stretches back to the late 19th century. Its origins lie in the Advanced Grammar School for Boys established in 1877. This evolved into Washington High School. It was the city’s first high school. The school split into three in 1890. This led to the creation of Central High School.
In 1916, Central High School moved to its current location at 13th and Clifton Streets. The building we see today was designed by architect William B. Ittner. He was renowned for his school designs. The dedication took place on February 15, 1917.
Now fast forward to 1950. Central High School closed. Cardozo High School then took over the building. The school was named after Francis Lewis Cardozo. He was a clergyman politician and educator. Cardozo became one of three black high schools in DC. This was during segregation.
Did you know that the U Street Metro station’s subtitle includes “Cardozo”? This honors the school’s importance to the community. The Columbia Heights neighborhood was even known as Upper Cardozo during the Urban Renewal era. Some public buildings in the area still use this name.
Cardozo Education Campus played a crucial role in educating black students from surrounding areas. Before 1954, it enrolled black secondary students from Fairfax County Virginia. This was because that county lacked secondary schools for black students at the time.
The building underwent a complete renovation in 2011. The cost was approximately $130 million. It reopened in August 2013. Middle school students from the closed Shaw Middle School joined the student body. The school was renamed Cardozo Education Campus. It became a combined middle and high school.
Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus has seen its share of challenges. There were four shootings on campus between 1969 and 2006. Despite these incidents, the school has remained a pillar of the community.
Notably, the “Don’t Copy That Floppy” anti-software piracy campaign video was filmed here. The school also appears in Wale’s “Chillin'” music video. Its marching band is featured in the movie D.C. Cab.
Many prominent figures have walked these halls. Marvin Gaye the legendary musician is an alumnus. So is Maury Wills the baseball player. James E. Mayo an exhibition specialist also attended Cardozo.
Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus continues to evolve. It empowers students through various programs. These include the International Academy and the NAF TransSTEM Academy. The school is also committed to sustainability. It has one of the top recycling programs in the city. The Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus stands as a testament to the power of education. It is a symbol of hope and opportunity for generations of students to come.