Eastern High School

As a alumni of Eastern Highschool. My decision to put my son in Eastern was the easiest. With the guidance from Mr. Chisulm and other teachers that care My son has improved tramendously. I love Easter High
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated in 2009 and mr chiselom did turn around the school since i been there i had 4 different principles and nothing had happen until he came. He even help out the marching band go places. Eastern will never get props again.
--Submitted by a student

The principal, Wllliam C. Chiselom is awesome! He's turned the school around and made it a place where students and staff alike can be proud of!

okay so after reading the negative comments, i decided to post. like all inner city schools, there's definitely a struggle. it's what you make it, i'm an alumni from the 04 class. i can talk about the 'bad' or elaborate on the good, no one ever seems to look at the positive side. Eastern in my opinion, was a great school they definitely prepared me for college (which i graduated one of the best in 08). try it out, look at the bigger picture, i've been out for 5 years and still have pride in my school. E-Ball for life! c/o 04
--Submitted by a student

I am a 2007 graduate from Eastern High School. Eastern is one of the best schools in DCPS to me, because we have the best teachers, best band, and etc. I love Eastern so much that I hate when people judge when they probably was not even involved when their child went there. Eastern can be better and I believe it will get better, but people always putting them down. EASTERN STILL HAVE SOME GOOD LEFT IN IT, but people only see the bad thats happening. I have learned a lot from that school all 4 years and now I'm carrying that one to college. Eastern has many intelligent students, but people don't realize that, I guess because the bad out do the good in this situation. The Class of 2007 got accepted into 62 colleges from various amounts of colleges, that shows the teachers must be doing something right.

My son re-entered the public school system this year as a 10th grader at Eastern. I was terrified to send him at the idea of putting him in public school, especially Eastern. Though I and his father are alumnis, the school's reputation and environment has severely decreased in value. However, my taken lemons and made lemonade. He joined the marching band, made friends, and is doing well in his classes. He was overwhelmed by the size of the school and concerned about getting along others. As he learned his way around the school, found a club to join and make friends, and adjusted to the class work, I am satisfied to say that things are going well. The school could be in better shape, there's no question, but our overall experience has not been bad at all.
--Submitted by a parent

Eastern's external beauty and appeal seems to be in definite shambles but its faculty's internal resolve to be the pride of Capitol Hill has stood year after year despite DC politicking from Congress, the Mayors Office down to the DCPS Main Office. I have stayed on-board long enough (since 2004) to see our teachers lead a debate team to beat Banneker, our marching band play for citywide celebrations, know that some of our graduates succeed in landing hundred thousand scholarship grants, and for our sports teams to show significant come-back signs. But we have kept the faith and the pride for we believe in the critical importance of our work. So we forge on to better heights.
--Submitted by a teacher

It hurt me to read the negative comments about the High School that means a great deal to me. I remember Eastern as the school of champions in sports and academics. In those days we took exceptional pride in our school. I want to be apart of the team of Alumni who is committed rescruing Eastern from peril. We can accomplish what ever is necesary to bring restoration to the school facility, academic programs, and the school spirit in student body. Time is of essence, so let the task begin.
--Submitted by Sidney Wise, Jr., a former student

When I attended EHS (1987-1990), this school was full of life. There was a thriving athletic program and countless extracurricular activities. I was part of the marching band for three years, a period where we played for the president, and travelled to many interscholastic competitions. In 2005, my nephews are enrolled. This school has truly lost all direction. The building is dilapidated, and the teachers are struggling to teach. However, there is hope. The teachers, despite the challenges, are still committed to educating; in fact, of the teachers from my time are still there.
--Submitted by a former student

In my opinion, the core issues with Eastern, like all other inner-city educational institutions: apathy from the larger society, parental neglect, negative peer influence, and laws and policies that have allowed children too much freedom and latitude to act-out and be disrespectful to authority. The collective 'WE' have failed our children with the attitudes and social policies that have helped to corrupt our communities since the 1970s. Some of the Eastern alumni, from the 1960s, are attempting to work with the school administration to help turn the school, that we love, around and pointed in the right direction. Also, the profession of teaching needs to be respected in order to attract and retain good teachers. Children can not be allowed to be abusive toward them, nor disrespect them. And, parents need to be held accountable for their children's behavior and actions in the classroom. James W. Preston,Sr. Class of 1965
--Submitted by James Preston, Sr., a former student