Washington, D.C. – As the new school year begins, the District’s public charter network celebrates a tangible sign of success: alumni who have returned to serve the very schools that shaped their futures. Michael Toussaint, a 2013 graduate of Washington Latin Public Charter School, now works as the school’s Dean of Students, while Viviana Patarroyo Ulloa, who arrived from Colombia and learned English at Carlos Rosario Public Charter School, serves as the school’s Manager of Strategic Policy Collaborations.
Alumni stories illustrate a broader promise
Both graduates credit the flexibility and high expectations of the charter model for their personal and professional development. Toussaint says the school’s focus on academic rigor and character helped him launch a career in restaurant management, and the encouragement of former classmates inspired his return to guide current students. Ulloa describes how Carlos Rosario became more than a place to learn English; it became a supportive community that believed in her, prompting her to give back by shaping policy and partnerships for the school.
These narratives underscore a core measure of a school’s success beyond test scores: the ability to cultivate purpose and a lifelong commitment to community. When families place their trust in a charter school, they expect not only academic challenge but also social and emotional support for their children. The return of former students as staff members offers a visible return on the District’s investment in public education.
Financial context and return on investment
The District funds each public school student through the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula at more than $15,000 per year, with additional resources for students who need specialized support. Advocates argue that this investment yields dividends when graduates choose to re‑enter the system as educators, counselors, or administrators, thereby reinforcing the quality of instruction and community ties for the next generation.
Public charter schools were created to give educators flexibility to innovate while remaining accountable for results. Across the District, charter schools demonstrate how that model can meet students where they are and maintain high expectations for where they can go. The DC Public Charter School Board oversees the network, celebrating excellence, supporting continuous improvement, and making difficult decisions to ensure schools remain worthy of families’ trust.
How families can engage
With more than 48,000 students—about half of the District’s public‑school population—enrolled in charter schools this fall, families are encouraged to become active participants. Attending school events, volunteering, mentoring, or simply thanking teachers are ways to strengthen the partnership between homes and schools. Such involvement helps sustain the environment that produces alumni like Toussaint and Ulloa, who later return to guide new students.
As classrooms fill with energy and possibility, the hope is that today’s graduates will someday walk back through the same doors—not as students, but as teachers, counselors, or leaders—continuing the cycle of community investment and educational excellence.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
