School Washington Co-Started Opens After Years

Not every school can say that one of its founders was a “founding father,” but the Alexandria Academy, newly opened this year, certainly can.

In 1785 as one of the school’s original “managers,” George Washington donated 1,000 pounds so that war orphans and “indigent” children might be educated alongside their wealthier counterparts.

“It really exemplifies [Washington’s] belief in the importance of education for all Americans,” said Ann Bay, Mount Vernon’s vice president of education, who attended the new school’s first-ever convocation on Tuesday, alongside Mount Vernon Executive Director Jim Rees.

The new school, which is located at 400 South Washington St. in Old Town Alexandria, Va., has enrolled 26 students in grades five through eight. Over the coming years it hopes to expand to encompass grades K through 12. Although private, scholarships are available, just as in Washington’s time.

Alexandria Academy has had a detailed history. Girls were admitted to the school early on and in 1812 free blacks founded a school there after space was vacated by white students. The building was sold in 1823 and served as a freedman’s hospital during the Civil War only to be returned to the Alexandria School Board in 1884. It was used as a school building and administrative offices until 1982, and the building was restored in 1999.

Alexandria Academy has been in the works for about three years according to one school official. Its students will attend a week-long educational program at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate the week of September 20 where they will learn about Washington as a leader and as a historical figure.

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