After watching her older sister endure a difficult pregnancy, Ajaya Fields applied — and got accepted into — McKinley Technology High School’s NAF Academy of Biotechnology. That’s where she plans to spend the next four years gaining foundational classroom and internship experience in pursuit of her dream of becoming an obstetrician and gynecologist.
For now, Ajaya joins more than 200 incoming freshmen at McKinley Technology High School who became acclimated during the 9th Grade Summer Bridge program. For an entire week, Ajaya learned about her new campus, engaged students, teachers and staff, and better understood what’s expected of her as a high school student.
Ajaya said McKinley Tech’s Summer Bridge program set the stage for what she predicts will be a slightly harrowing, but exciting high school experience.
“I want to know how I will maneuver around the school, but hopefully I can ask teachers to figure out where to go,” said Ajaya, 14-year-old alumna of KIPP DC Valor Academy in Northeast. “I want to learn and keep learning as much as I can about biotechnology. To be in a lab environment and [take on] fun opportunities that are informative. These things will help me make it to college.”
On Aug. 5-9, public middle and high schools across the District hosted Summer Bridge programs for incoming 6th and 9th graders. During that time, hundreds upon hundreds of students participated in team-building exercises, creative projects, and other types of programming.
This effort, part of D.C. Public Schools (DCPS)’ five-year strategic plan, focuses on fostering students’ connection to their schools. In a statement, DCPS officials said that eligible students utilized dedicated bus transportation, while all District middle and high school students have their Kids Ride Free card at their disposal.
A Deeper Look into Freshman Onboarding
At McKinley Tech, 204 incoming freshmen transitioning from 20 middle schools spent their days practicing the school’s entrance policy before filing into the auditorium, a large space with the names of several colleges and universities written in bold letters. That’s where administrators explain the daily routines and school policy, including that involving no mobile devices in the classroom.
From that point, students attend sessions about time management, developing coping skills, academic success and other topics. They also glean wisdom from a panel of older McKinley Tech students while socializing with peers hailing from different District neighborhoods.
Darien Gregory, McKinley Tech’s summer bridge coordinator, emphasized that the special cocktail of activities aligns with principles that administrators want to impart upon students entering an application-based school.
“We want to make sure our ninth graders are ready and understand the expectations,” said Gregory, who also serves as McKinley Tech’s admissions and partnerships director. “This is an academically rigorous space, so we want them to focus on their goals, create their own brand and be aware of what they want to accomplish.”
A Student Ambassador Speaks
McKinley Technology High School, based in Northeast, ranks fifth among District high schools and third among D.C. public high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report. At what’s known as DCPS’ premier STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) school, students pursue coursework in engineering, information technology, or biotechnology, which often exposes them to internship and experiential learning opportunities.
Nearly all upperclassmen also take Advanced Placement coursework.
As students matriculate through McKinley Tech, some of them serve in a capacity where they can pay it forward. Such was the case for Marcus Hackett, a senior at McKinley Tech who’s in his second year as a student ambassador.
In his role, Marcus hosts open houses, interviews prospective students, and assists Gregory with the Summer Bridge program. Doing so, he said, allows him to speak to incoming freshmen about his experience as a digital media student in McKinley Tech’s NAF Academy of Information Technology.
“I know how to make things look marketable,” said Marcus, an aspiring advertising and promotions manager. “And I learned how to design web pages which are good for business.”
In 2021, as the District and other jurisdictions were still reeling from the pandemic, Marcus started his freshman year at McKinley Tech. As he recounted, it took a while to get acclimated to being around other people after completing his studies at Center City Public Charter School – Petworth in isolation.
However, as Marcus met more of his peers and expanded his knowledge of Adobe photoshop and other tools, he became confident enough to take on the additional responsibility of representing McKinley Tech.
“It brought me out of my shell,” Marcus told The Informer. “My freshman year coming from COVID into Summer Bridge was nerve wracking so I can talk to students about being comfortable. I have no problem with that now.”