I am an an alumnus of AHS class of 1965. Our school was one of the best academic High Schools in Washington. We had National Merit winners, Westington House Scholars, service academy appointees, many college scholarship winners. I was in the honors track and received a scholarship for my BA and MA. I also have a doctorate. Many of my classmates are professionals and have achieved much in life. I am so saddened by the decline and failure of my beloved alma mater. I am the Senior Fellow for Ethics and Public Policy for the National Clergy Council, Washingtom, D. C.

i hate this school they need to get shut down because of poor behavior and loud running up and doen the steps its so nasty spit on the walls bugs every were
—Submitted by a parent

THIS SCHOOL IS AWFUL I WENT TODAY TO WITHDRAWAL MY SON WITH A FRIEND AND HE WAS ATTACKED MY THE PRINCIPAL FOR NOTHING SCHOOL HASNT EVEN STARTED AND THIS MAN WHOS NAME I DONT EVEN KNOW DONT WANT TO KNOW WANTS MY CHILD TO STAY THERE,I DONT THINK SO WITH A PRINCIPAL ACTING LIKE THAT I DONT WANT HIM AROUND MY CHILD OR ANYONE ELSES. O AND LET ME NOT FORGET HE PULLED OUT SOME TEETH GUARDS OUT OF HIS POCKETS AND TOLD MY FRIEND HE'LL BEAT HIS A_ _! REAL LOUD OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL O YES HE FOLLOWED US, ALL THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO WITHDRAWL MY SON SMH SAD.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had three children in Anacostia, two of which have graduated. The third is a bit of a challenge. Unless your child is pretty compliant and can always go with the flow they will be ok. But if they have any behavorial difficulties or learning styles that do not go along with the cookie cutter program this may not be the school for your child. I think that our children should be given more options when it comes to the way they learn and not just get swept under the rug or put out if they have issues. And...considering every child will not attend college, offer at least 1 or 2 vocations in the school. Maybe, that's too much to ask with all the budget cuts. There's gotta be a solution to help our children.
—Submitted by a parent

Applying the new with the old, make no sense to for this school structure. Eliminate and reprogram some of the structure within the school, we lead to an successful overcome. But sending a brand new person as a principal who does not acknowledge the culture within the school, make it very difficult for him to do his job, but also make it difficult for the kids at this school to comprehend the message he is trying to bring across. Anacostia needs to start at the begining which is the head, get someone who willing to deal with the kids show some type of compassion and trying to understand some of the following kids background. Eighty percent of the students of Anacostia comes from unique background and they need a staff who is qualified to deal with the most unusally circumstances. Not getting rid of them, but show them a better way.
—Submitted by a parent

This place is like a prison. Excuse me, prisons have less guards.
—Submitted by a parent

Anacostia has a vast need for a stronger principal and leadership team as well some long-standing teachers who are willing to be team players. We need a partner that can offer our students a vocational track with various certified positions that they can obtain along with their high school dipolma. Most of all we need our parents to be more actively involved.

At Anacostia SHS the glass is 'half full, not half empty' as our principal always says. The school is headed in the right direction, one of many indicators is that our graduation rate has increased. The staff is focused on teaching and learning, not the negative press that is often in the news. Anacostia SHS is an excellent place to teach and a great environment to work.
—Submitted by a teacher

Anacostia Senior High School is extolling itself as 'excellence across the river'. It is truly showing those signs. The teaching staff has more Ph.D.'s than my college did, and the quality of instruction is rising with the staff. The new principal is energetic and enthusiastic. I think they are turning the corner and will be soon recognized as one of the better DC High Schools.

Im a Former Student at this school and i feel the parents need to get more involved in what goes on at the school. They have numerous programs for students to get involved in like 'It's Academic (Which i was apart of), Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field, Chess club, and etc. Even the alumni we need to help some of these misleading children.
—Submitted by Earl Curley, a former student

This school does not have the time it takes to care for each individucal student. There are so many students that enter this school that require special needs that are not being met. Those individuals are being overlooked and passed on. My suggestion is to have your child placed in a charter or private school.
—Submitted by aunya, a parent