Friendship PCS - Southeast Middle Academy

At a Glance

Friendship PCS - Southeast Middle Academy is a public charter school serving grades 4–8 in the Anacostia neighborhood of Ward 8. Located at 645 Milwaukee Place SE, the school provides middle-grades education with an emphasis on building strong academic foundations and preparing students for advanced coursework. As part of the Friendship Public Charter School network, Southeast Middle Academy offers families in this part of the District a tuition-free option focused on college preparation.

The school describes itself as a vibrant, safe community that fosters curiosity and a love for learning, with programming that bridges elementary concepts through middle school readiness. Students progress from foundational literacy and numeracy work in the elementary grades to Pre-AP coursework like Algebra by the time they reach seventh and eighth grade.

What Parents Should Know

Friendship Southeast Middle Academy enrolls students through the My School DC lottery system, the common application process used by DC public charter schools and DCPS. Families should submit their applications during the annual lottery window, typically in the winter, and can list Southeast Middle as one of their ranked choices. As a charter school, it's open to all DC residents regardless of neighborhood boundaries.

The grade configuration—4th through 8th grade—means students may transition into the school at fourth grade or enter at other grade levels depending on availability. This structure offers several years of continuity for students, allowing them to build relationships with teachers and peers throughout their middle school experience before moving on to high school.

The school's location in Anacostia places it in a historically significant DC neighborhood that has seen ongoing investment and development in recent years. Ward 8 families seeking a charter option in their part of the city will find Southeast Middle Academy geographically accessible. The school has announced plans to open new science labs, additional classrooms, and a high school-sized gymnasium in 2025, which will expand its facilities and programming capacity.

Transportation logistics are an important consideration for any DC school. Families should check whether their student qualifies for OSSE transportation services based on distance from home, as this can affect daily commute planning.

Programs and Approach

Southeast Middle Academy uses Friendship's Science of Reading and Math programs as the foundation for academic instruction, with an emphasis on preparing students to handle rigorous coursework as they advance through middle school. The curriculum is designed to develop creative problem-solving abilities and technological literacy, incorporating hands-on learning experiences with tools like coding and robotics. The school uses small-group instruction to provide personalized support tailored to individual student needs.

By seventh and eighth grade, students work toward Pre-AP courses such as Algebra, positioning them to potentially earn college credits once they reach high school. This progressive approach aims to ensure students enter ninth grade prepared for advanced placement tracks.

Beyond core academics, Southeast Middle offers a range of extracurricular activities designed to help students explore interests and develop talents outside the classroom. Options include Spanish Club, Robotics, Chess Club, Drama Club, Math Club, and STEM Club. Athletic offerings include basketball, cheerleading, and dance, while students interested in the arts can participate in performing and visual arts programs, band, and school events like the Spelling Bee. These activities give students opportunities to build leadership skills, discover new passions, and form connections with peers who share similar interests.

As a public charter school, Friendship Southeast Middle operates independently but remains accountable to DC's Public Charter School Board and must meet the same academic standards as DCPS schools.

Visiting and Contact

Friendship PCS - Southeast Middle Academy is located at 645 Milwaukee Place SE in the Anacostia neighborhood. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling a tour, or accessing current enrollment information should visit the Friendship network website at friendshipschools.org or call 202-562-1980.