For more than 35 years, Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School has provided high-quality education, career and student support services that change lives and improve communities.

Located in Washington, DC and serving residents ages 18 and older, we support more than 600 adult learners each year, whether they come to us looking to complete their high school education, gain a diploma, take college courses, develop job skills or advance in their careers. We see adult education as the greatest lever for generational change: from increasing wealth-building opportunities to strengthening outcomes for children and families. It’s not just about the diploma or the career credential, but about building paths for economic self-sufficiency and a life of choice and opportunity. 

Washington, DC has one of the nation’s highest percentages of residents with advanced degrees. But look behind the curtain and you’ll find that 1 in 5 DC adults face significant challenges reading a newspaper, understanding a map or completing a job application. These adults raise families and achieve meaningful milestones, even after halting their education due to circumstances beyond their control, like discrimination or illness. Even those with a high school diploma may have limited or low income.

Whether they enrolled to secure a more stable career or finish a goal they set decades ago, graduates inspire us with their perseverance and dedication in the face of systemic racism. We believe that all people have equal talent — and that adult education is the best way to create equal opportunity.

What’s special about Academy of Hope?

• Our services are free for DC residents and offered in the daytime and evening, both in-person and online
• We work with learners at all levels, whether they need courses in beginning literacy, reading and math, GED preparation, college transition or beyond
• We have career tracks with hands-on training in hospitality, healthcare and IT
• Our caring and encouraging staff, including a Student Support Team, offer judgment-free support and distribute healthy food and transportation stipends
• As one of only a few adult public charter schools in the United States, our direct research and corresponding advocacy campaigns prioritize the needs of Black and brown adult learners

Our Values

• Community: Academy of Hope fosters an atmosphere where individuals can be completely present as their authentic selves. We promote caring for one another. We believe we are stronger together and that representation for the people we serve matters.
• Acceptance: AoH respects the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. We remain open-minded as we acknowledge each individual’s complex identities and our collective differences. To us, every person is worthy and we expect teachers, staff, learners, and community members to come as their true selves. To see this value in action, read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement.
• Respect: We believe that every human is deserving of respect and respect is an action. Respecting someone means engaging, learning, and trying to understand individuals’ experiences. At Academy of Hope we encourage self-love and a deep understanding, appreciation, and regard for our communities. To see this value in action, read our Bullying Prevention Policy.
• Empowerment: We purposefully recruit and engage community members who recognize and appreciate the power in every person. Our community is committed to actively listening and amplifying voices and lived experiences that are often unheard as a means to propel change.
• Service: Our ultimate goal is to serve all learners responsibly. We strive to be good stewards of the trust learners place in us by consistently reviewing our practices, programs, and structures to ensure we are advancing learners’ stated best interests.

Jobs
Academy of Hope Adult PCS seeks a broad spectrum of employees and is strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, people of color, members of the LGTBQIA2S+ community, as well as members of underrepresented groups, people with seen and unseen disabilities, and people of all ages – to apply.

We’re looking for motivated individuals with a passion for working in the Adult Education field to join us!