St. Coletta of Greater Washington is a vital institution dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities, serving both children and adults in the Washington, D.C. area.
This year, the charter school celebrates its 65th anniversary, marking two decades of operation on Capitol Hill.
The school provides education to 270 students aged 3 to 22 in Hill East and supports 220 adults across day service centers located in Rockville, Maryland and Alexandria, Virginia.
As students prepare for convocation, emotions run high, embodying the spirit of accomplishment felt by graduates like Daniel Reese.
Reese, an alumnus of the school who graduated in 2012, recalls the excitement surrounding this event—families dressed up, filled with pride, believing they had triumphed through their educational journey.
The mission of St. Coletta is rooted in enabling individuals to discover their full potential, focusing on personalized education tailored to each student’s needs.
Daniel Reese’s journey to St. Coletta began in 2006 when his parents found the school through a newspaper article.
Previously enrolled in a local middle school, he and his family faced ongoing challenges that led them to seek a better fit for his special education requirements.
After visiting the Alexandria facility, Reese joined the inaugural class at the new Hill East charter school, and he has remained a part of the community ever since, currently serving as a facilities assistant while completing his plumbing certification.
St. Coletta was founded in 1959 in Arlington, Virginia, by parents advocating for children with disabilities, particularly Down syndrome.
After relocating several times, the organization’s Executive Director, Sharon Raimo, purchased a facility in Alexandria in 1996, and the Hill East school opened in 2006 across Independence Avenue.
Most residents recognize the distinctive building designed by Michael Graves, which includes five distinct “houses” differentiated by color and shape, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
Class sizes vary between 8 to 12 students, each supported by a lead teacher and paraprofessionals as outlined in their individualized education plans (IEP).
The 99,000-square-foot facility boasts amenities such as a gym, basketball court, adapted playground, sensory room, hydrotherapy pool, and specialized kitchens in the adult houses.
Kaiheem Mason, the school’s Chief Operating Officer, has been part of St. Coletta since its first year, initially serving as HR manager.
Mason reflects on the school’s early days with admiration for Sharon Raimo’s dedication and how the school cultivated a culture of care among staff.
One of the core principles guiding St. Coletta today is that a clean and welcoming environment signifies respect for the students and their families.
Current CEO Mike Rodrigues, who joined St. Coletta in 2021 after Raimo’s departure, shares that while the building is an architectural highlight, the true magic lies in the community within its walls.
Rodrigues, a local resident, describes his daily interactions with students and staff as filled with joy, highlighting the vibrant atmosphere of the school.
Tailored education is integral to St. Coletta’s philosophy; last year, out of 250 enrolled students, 132 required one-to-one support to thrive academically.
The curriculum offers a fusion of academics, life skills, arts, technical education, and vocational training.
Starting at age 12, students engage in transition training, learning vital life skills such as money management, a capability further developed through work experiences in the community by their late teenage years.
Rodrigues emphasizes the commitment of students who often invest more effort each morning preparing for school than many do in their daily endeavors.
The school’s dedication to family engagement and community building is notable, as about 60 percent of its students hail from wards 7 and 8, although families from across the District and beyond seek St. Coletta’s services.
The adult programs, housed in Alexandria and Rockville, offer vocational training and community integration while maintaining the essence of St. Coletta’s mission through initiatives like Coletta Collections.
This artisan program features jewelry and home décor created by program participants, with fulfillment managed by Rockville students.
As the school looks to the future, it faces financial challenges that threaten its ability to provide the highest quality of service.
Initially intended as a private-public partnership, St. Coletta had to establish itself as a public charter school, which introduced financial limitations.
The city initially supplemented the school’s budget, but this funding lapsed in 2017, resulting in a projected $2.6 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year.
Families have raised concerns with the DC Council, urging the implementation of a recommendation from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) working group that calls for a Level 5 Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF) for high-need students beginning in fiscal year 2027.
In response to budgetary constraints, St. Coletta has implemented various strategies to bridge financial shortfalls while ensuring students receive deserving services.
Rodrigues articulated that their continual growth revolves around delivering the highest quality service possible, one individual and family at a time.
In a proactive effort to navigate current challenges, the school aims to build connections with the wider community.
Mason highlighted the potential for expanding early childhood programs to support children under six and enhancing community awareness regarding disability services and how to accommodate individuals with special needs.
As development in the RFK Campus area unfolds, St. Coletta views this as an opportunity to share its story with the community and gain support from local stakeholders.
Rodrigues has engaged in discussions with the Commanders football team to explore collaborative opportunities that would benefit both the school and the team.
The school invites community members to tour its facilities, and Rodrigues encourages local businesses and individuals to consider becoming job site partners or volunteers.
Mason echoes this sentiment, stating that once people engage with St. Coletta’s community, they often find it difficult to disconnect from the impactful experiences it offers.
Overall, St. Coletta of Greater Washington remains a remarkable pillar in the community, dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities while fostering connections that enhance the lives of students and families alike.
image source from：hillrag
