Mayor Bowser Celebrates $91 Million Modernization of Harriet Tubman Elementary School

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser joined leaders from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS), students and school staff, and community members to cut the ribbon on the newly modernized Harriet Tubman Elementary School. The event marked the completion of this $91 million modernization in the heart of Ward 1.

"When we think about how we went from about 70,000 students in our public schools 20 years ago, to about 100,000 students in our public schools today, it's because we built fantastic schools like this one and staffed them with the best teachers in the country," said Mayor Bowser. "Twenty years ago, people weren't sure that a system of mayoral control and Council oversight would be able to deliver the public schools transformation that our families deserved - but it's worked. We made a big bet on education, and it was one of our city's best bets ever."

Built in the 1960s, the original Harriet Tubman Elementary School was initially slated for a partial renovation - but during demolition, DGS and its trade partners discovered that much of the existing structure could not be safely retained. The plans were adjusted, shifting the project from a renovation to a new, fully modernized school built from the ground up. The result pays homage to the original building, honoring its history while creating a modern, welcoming learning environment for students.

The new campus features playgrounds for early childhood education students and K-5 students, a gymnasium and auditorium, kitchen and cafeteria, library, music classrooms, and student support spaces, along with dedicated specials labs used for yoga and other student programming.

Tubman was built to Net Zero Ready construction standards, designed to use significantly less energy and lower long-term operating costs. The school's sustainability features also include geothermal heating and cooling throughout, as well as LEED Gold certification, allowing these buildings to serve as learning tools that give students a chance to see sustainability and clean energy in action.

"I'm incredibly proud that this school year, our team delivered four fully modernized schools, all Net Zero or Net Zero Ready," said DGS Director Delano Hunter. "For me, that says something about the kind of legacy we are building in DC. We are giving our students beautiful places to learn while being thoughtful about the energy we use and the impact these buildings will have long after we are gone."

Beyond the classroom, the Tubman modernization also invested directly in the District's own workforce and businesses. The project achieved 50% participation from Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs), helping keep local, DC-based contractors and vendors thriving. In total, 152 individual DC residents worked on the Tubman construction project, reflecting the Bowser Administration's continued commitment to ensuring District residents benefit directly from the city's investments in its own infrastructure.

For the Tubman community, this modernization means more than a new building. It creates new ways for students to learn and explore their interests, while taking advantage of programs designed to bring learning to life - including the Mini-Med afterschool program, a unique partnership with Howard University College of Medicine where students receive hands-on early exposure to health and science-related career pathways.

"I'm thrilled to celebrate this milestone with the Tubman community, whose beautiful new school will enable students to take their learning even further," said DCPS Interim Chancellor Dr. Kim Jackson. "Tubman will continue to challenge scholars through rigorous academics and enrichment opportunities like the Howard University College of Medicine Mini-Med program, now hosted in a state-of-the-art science lab. Congratulations to the Tubman Toads!"

The Tubman celebration marks Mayor Bowser's final back-to-school ribbon cutting during her tenure as mayor, after more than a decade of investments in school facilities and education across all eight wards. Since 2015, the Bowser Administration has modernized nearly 60 DCPS facilities and invested nearly $5 billion towards major renovations, modernizations, and new construction throughout the city. In Ward 1, the District has invested $261 million across major school modernization projects, including $75 million for Marie Reed Elementary School (2017) and $74 million for Oyster-Adams Bilingual School (2025).

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