The Beacon

Uneven workload frustrates teachers

Rohini Kieffer, Editor-in-Chief • February 7, 2025

Social studies teachers have expressed frustration over workload disparities as recent data revealed that they teach more and larger classes than their math counterparts. According to data compiled...

Academy of Global Studies to be a part of NAF

Greta Bradley-Meal and Jessica McCallum • February 7, 2025

The Academy of Global Studies (AGS), formerly the Wilson International Studies Program, will soon evolve to become a DC Career Technical Education (CTE) program, the Academy of Global Service and Diplomacy....

Seniors may lose free periods next year under DCPS policy

Isadora Groves, Editor-in-Chief • February 7, 2025

Many Jackson-Reed seniors will be without free periods next year due to a newly enforced DCPS policy, sources told The Beacon. Juniors said they feel upset about their loss of free time, and staff are...

Auditorium nears completion in time for spring musical

Edith Corrigan Conaty and Gil Leifman • February 7, 2025

Repairs to the broken auditorium are nearly complete after $550,000 in funds were administered in October 2023 to restore the space. Since then, the repair process has been extended several times and an...

Kendric Hawkins returns to JR as Assistant Principal

Noa Gordon and Kalpana Shipler • February 7, 2025

Following the retirement of 10th grade Assistant Principal Gregory Bargeman, Kendric Hawkins has returned to Jackson-Reed to take over the role. As a former JR staff member, Hawkins is excited to be back,...

Trump’s new orders on education spark confusion, fear, anxiety

Clara Doyle, Javier Thompson, Alice Patterson, Rohini Kieffer, and Isadora Groves • February 7, 2025

Jackson-Reed students and staff expressed worry and unease over President Donald Trump’s recent actions targeting school curricula and removing protections for transgender and undocumented students. In...

Wilson Aquatic Center sparks renaming conversations

Michael Liburd, Contributor • December 30, 2024

The Wilson Aquatic Center reopened in January 2024 after being closed for repairs since August 2023, with major upgrades to its HVAC and cooling systems. The pool’s reopening brought new life to the...

New middle school to come to DCPS, Cardozo to only be high school

Gil Leifman, News Editor • December 30, 2024

A new middle school is coming to DCPS by the 2028 school year, taking the place of the former Banneker High School building. The middle school will be a feeder for Cleveland ES, Garrison ES, and Seaton...

La Niña weather patterns predicted to impact DC

Jordana Sloane and Peyton Shum • December 23, 2024

La Niña, a weather pattern characterized by colder ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, will bring below-average snowfall to DC this winter. While predictions for this year's snowfall vary, according...

Freshman advisory class is a hit

Grace Harscheid and Natalia Weinstein • December 20, 2024

Last year, Jackson-Reed introduced a mandatory freshman advisory class with the goal of providing freshmen additional time and guidance to adjust to high school. According to Principal Sah Brown, the advisory...

Farewell, Mr. Bargeman

Isadora Groves and Devan Mehta • December 20, 2024

The current Jackson-Reed student body has only heard the legend of DJ Barge. Every Friday during lunch, Assistant Principal Gregory Bargeman, equipped with a record player and some old vinyls, filled...

DCPS enrollment at an all-time high for 2024-25

Gil Leifman, News Editor • December 20, 2024

Total enrollment in DCPS for 2024-25 is the highest ever recorded. The recently released data from DCPS showed 99,770 students enrolled in district public and charter schools, an increase of 1,121 from...