Our Schools

The mission of Richard Wright Schools is to transform students in grades 8-12 into well-versed media contributors by providing a student-centered environment that connects them to the classics and modern languages and a curriculum focused on strong writing skills and vocabulary.

Richard Wright provides rich, balanced, and diverse opportunities to all students, supporting the mission and vision of the schools, fostering intellectual, cultural, social growth, and promoting physical health and wellness. Students participate in various clubs, sports, activities, events, and trips that encourage students to utilize mental and physical practical application of concepts, skills, and processes they are continually learning both in and beyond the classroom.

From professional organizations in the media industry, distinguished colleges and national educational associations, visiting artists and journalists, to an end-of-the-year multimedia gala event, Richard Wright Schools continually provides unique opportunities for its students to enhance, supplement, and stimulate each student’s life holistically.

The innovative programs and practices executed with consistency and efficacy by a dedicated, caring, and hardworking staff builds a working, learning environment that fosters creativity and exploration, which students are excited to be a part of, the results demonstrated in a myriad of ways. Richard Wright aims to fortify its young people with the resounding impact of education, to transform their lives and those around them, and uphold the vision of “re-writing the future, one student at a time.”

CEO Corner

Welcome to Richard Wright Schools

I am honored and humbled to be Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Richard Wright Schools, an institution that embraces the rich heritage of Washington, DC and the bright future of all of the city’s students and residents. The Founders and the Board of Trustees of our organization are thrilled to have public schools that will draw students to a superior learning environment to become a community of academic scholars, forging a shared identity that will produce an array of future leaders for the 21st century.

Richard Wright Schools is an intellectual center located in the heart of our great city. Our stellar administrators, faculty, staff, parents and community partners will be working to increase reading literacy, enhance academic rigor, expand academic research across all academic disciplines and create media contributors. Our students will benefit from their experiences in and out of the classroom as well as around the city and throughout the United States. We will work diligently to become one of the most active and service-oriented public schools in our great nation.

As the only public high schools in the District of Columbia or the surrounding area to offer journalism and media arts as a whole school concept, Richard Wright Schools will also offer an academically challenging course of study in the content areas of math and science.

At Richard Wright Schools, we are proud of the challenge of building a long-lasting academic legacy. Those who will graduate from Richard Wright Schools will have benefited from the knowledge, ideals, and experiences received from our institution, which we believe will make a very strong impact on the community as a whole.

School Leadership

Members of the Richard Wright Schools Management Team have worked together at other establishments with great records of success, commitment and dedication needed for educating students of Washington, D.C. The group believes that academic rigor should be offered and expected at every institution of learning.

Dr. Marco Clark – Founder & CEO

Dr. Marco Clark is a well-respected educator, forward-thinking innovator, exemplary author, polarizing public speaker, and veteran in the world of urban education. Dr. Clark currently serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Richard Wright Schools in Washington, D.C. In addition to his work as Founder and CEO, he is Chairman of “Man the Block,” an organization focused on providing safe passage for students to and from school.
 

Central Office Leadership

Members of the Richard Wright Schools Management Team have worked together at other establishments with great records of success, commitment and dedication needed for educating students of Washington, D.C. The group believes that academic rigor should be offered and expected at every institution of learning.

Executive Leadership

Dr. Marco Clark – Chief Executive Officer
marco.clark@richardwrightpcs.org

Alisha Roberts – Chief of Operations
alisha.roberts@richardwrightpcs.org

Michelle Santos – Chief Creative Officer
msantos@richardwrightpcs.org

Carolyn Young-Folk – Chief of Staff
cyoung@richardwrightpcs.org

LaMarge Wyatt – Chief Academic Officer
lwyatt@richardwrightpcs.org
 

School Leadership

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR / FACILITATOR

DEAN OF STUDENTS

Board of Trustees

The Richard Wright Schools Board of Trustees, in accordance with the terms of its charter, will be responsible for the supervision and control of the school. The primary roles and responsibilities of the Board of Trustees will be to provide governance to ensure that all of our schools' programs and operations are legally and ethically bound to its mission, faithful to the terms of its charter, including compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements, and fiscally-solvent and otherwise viable.

Derwin Ross – Chairman of the Board

Born in Washington, DC, Mr. Ross is a product of the DC Public Schools, attending Eastern Senior High and later matriculated to Clark Atlanta University, graduating with a B.S. in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration & Management.

Prior to entering the corporate arena, he served as a Regional Program Manager with the NAACP, overseeing a regional mentoring program in collaboration with the Department of Justice. He also led successful campaigns to significantly increase the Association's support from various key stakeholders, including faith organizations, fraternities, sororities, major record labels, civil rights, and progressive organizations.

Mr. Ross is the CEO and co-founder of Cornerstone Government Services (CGS), a government contracting company that provides Program & Project Management, IT Management Consulting, and Construction and Facility Management Services to federal, state, and local governments. Mr. Ross provides vision and leadership, guiding Cornerstone Government Services in applying proven and effective solutions for its clients.

In the federal market space, Mr. Ross is an experienced leader with a reputation for meeting the most challenging organizational goals and objectives. He maintains key relationships with various federal officers and agency liaisons.

Mr. Ross's community activities include serving with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association, NAACP, Boys & Girls Club of America, United Way, National Contract Management Association, and Trustee at the Spirit of the Living God Baptist Church.

His tenure as a mentor on this board is part of his way of giving back to the D.C. public school system and the community in which he was raised.

Board of Trustees

Essie Graber - Board Secretary

Dr. Marco Clark - Ex Officio

Xyon Young (Student Rep)

Jerome Kearney (Student Rep)

Carla Holly

Percy "Master P" Miller

Troy Priest, Esq.

Tyrone Smith

Marcia Dyson 

Robin Tyson

Leonard Upson

Regina Webb

Opal Young

Employment

Richard Wright Schools posts jobs at www.indeed.com. Please follow the protocols to apply.

Richard Wright Schools strive to hire the best teachers as we value integrity, excellence, respect, inclusion, and collaboration. Please follow the SY25-26 Teacher Salary Scale. Salaries for specialty areas are commensurate based on experience. In addition to salary, Richard Wright Schools takes pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Richard Wright Schools, through all of our partners, offers a benefits program that allows choice and flexibility.

RWPCS SY25-26 TEACHER SALARY SCALE