Whenever DCPS tries to solve a problem, they always seem to go about it in the strangest ways.

The most recent example of this is the new MacArthur school, which is an attempt to reduce the student population at Jackson-Reed and take some of the pressures of overcrowding off both the building and staff. However, there are multiple issues with the plan for the new school.

MacArthur, just like other schools in DCPS, has a lottery system, which means that kids outside of the school’s predetermined borders are also given the opportunity to attend. However, a challenge presents itself for kids who live outside of walking distance to MacArthur: transportation.

There has long been a debate about the lack of a Metro station in the Georgetown area. The idea has been introduced again and again, but is ultimately always shot down due to protests from Georgetown residents. Without a working station nearby (the closest Metro stop is over 2 miles away in Foggy Bottom), many students will be faced with hour-long commutes to school.

The new MacArthur school is also meant to draw kids from Hardy Middle School away from Jackson-Reed, helping to alleviate some of the overcrowding. However, only about 175 students come from Hardy to JR each year. Students from Deal Middle School and Murch Elementary School will also be able to lottery into MacArthur (and will receive a preference, according to the DCPS website), but once those students are admitted, they still face the issue of transportation.

Both Jackson-Reed and the MacArthur school are located in predominantly white neighborhoods. However, the transit around JR ensures that our student body remains diverse. The same cannot be said for the MacArthur school, which will only be served by a bus route. Even with a bus that can transport some students, it will still be difficult for many kids to reach MacArthur. 

Jackson-Reed is a popular school for many reasons, but one of the biggest is its accessibility. With multiple bus lines and a Metro stop serving the area, it’s easy for thousands of students from across the city to make it to school each day. The MacArthur school will not be able to serve the needs of the District’s students if DCPS does not find a solution for transportation. Until then, MacArthur will be a wallet-busting project that only pulls a small fraction of students away from Jackson-Reed.