Mayor Bowser to Celebrate the First Day of School at Newly Renamed and Expanded John R. Thompson, Jr. High School

(Washington, DC) - On Monday, August 24 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will join DC Public Schools (DCPS), the DC Department of General Services (DGS), District leaders, and community members to celebrate the first day of school and cut the ribbon on the latest addition to the newly renamed John R. Thompson, Jr. High School in Ward 3.

The celebration will mark several milestones for the school community. Previously known as MacArthur High School, the Ward 3 campus will proudly bear the name of John R. Thompson, Jr., the legendary Washingtonian, Georgetown basketball coach, and advocate for racial justice. Mayor Bowser and District leaders will formally dedicate the school, welcome students, and celebrate the campus expansion as students across the city return for the 2026-27 school year.

The new addition expands the high school's capacity to now serve up to 800 students from grades 9 through 12. It features an entire floor of new science classrooms, two new art rooms, two music classrooms, an administrative space, technology-equipped learning spaces, and an outdoor classroom.

The completion of this latest addition at John R. Thompson, Jr. High School reflects Mayor Bowser's continued investment in modernizing schools across the District and creating learning environments that strengthen neighborhoods and support student success. Since 2015, the District has invested nearly $5 billion in school facilities.

When:
Monday, August 24 at 11 am

Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser

Councilmember Matt Frumin, Ward 3

Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education

Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell, State Superintendent of Education

Dr. Kim Jackson, Interim Chancellor, DC Public Schools

Delano Hunter, Director, DC Department of General Services

Dr. Harold McCray, Jr., Principal, John R. Thompson, Jr. High School

Eduardo M. Peñalver, President, Georgetown University

Where:
John R. Thompson, Jr. High School

4530 MacArthur Blvd NW

*Closest Bus Routes: D94, C85*

*Closest Bikeshare: 45th & Q Streets NW*