History Of The SEED Foundation

The first dormitory of The SEED School of Maryland is completed. Renovations to the academic building continue as planned through the year.
The SEED School of Maryland opens its doors to the Class of 2015 -- 80 sixth-graders from across the state. The school will eventually grow to serve up to 400 Maryland students in grades six through twelve.
For the second straight year -- and for the fourth time in five years -- every graduate of The SEED School of Washington, D.C. is admitted to college.

100 percent of SEED’s fourth graduating class is accepted to college
The SEED Foundation develops plans to build a SEED school in Maryland
Art and Pat Modell commit a gift of $5 million to build a SEED school to serve Maryland children from high-need communities

Maryland Governor Ehrlich signs House Bill 1432 into law, which secures annual operating funds for a public boarding school in Maryland.
SEED develops plans for a second campus in the District.
The SEED School of Washington, D.C. is designated one of four high performing charter schools by D.C.'s State Education Office.
SEED is one of eight high schools nationwide selected for the report Charter High Schools Closing the Achievement Gap and The SEED Foundation receives the Fast Company/Monitor Group’s Social Capitalist Award.
Ninety six percent of the third senior class of The SEED School of Washington, D.C. graduates, and 91 percent are admitted to four-year colleges or universities.

SEED is awarded the 2005 Innovations in American Government Award from the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the Council for Excellence in Government.
For the second year in a row, 100 percent of SEED’s graduating class is admitted to college. Marion Wright Edelman, president of the Children’s Defense Fund, serves as the graduation speaker.
The SEED Foundation receives Fast Company/Monitor Group’s Social Capitalist Award and is named one of the “Top 25 Groups that Are Changing the World.”
SEED commences a feasibility study in Maryland.

One hundred percent of SEED’s Class of 2004 is admitted to college.
The SEED School hosts the graduation of its first senior class in June; America’s Promise Chairwoman Alma Powell serves as the keynote speaker.
One hundred percent of SEED students participate in summer experiences ranging from international travel to community service projects.

SEED reaches its capacity of 320 students in grades seven through twelve. Construction of the Student Center, the final building on campus, is completed.
SEED co-founders Eric Adler and Rajiv Vinnakota receive Washingtonian Magazine's "Washingtonian of the Year" award.
The SEED School establishes the “Cornerstones of Community” initiative to build a boarding school esprit de corps and culture.
SEED commences Phase I development work in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The school year begins with 230 students in grades seven through eleven.
The Oprah Winfrey Show and Nightline feature stories on The SEED School. SEED’s founders receive a “Use your Life Award” from Oprah’s Angel Network, in addition to a donation of 300 computers, dormitory furniture and bed linens.
Construction of the second dormitory, Brown Hall, is completed, providing space for 320 students.

Construction of the first dormitory, Marshall Hall, and the academic building is completed, enabling the student body to grow to 154 students.
SEED increases its academic staff and reduces the student-to-teacher ratio.
The campus of The SEED School is dedicated by Mayor Anthony Williams, Councilmember Kevin Chavous and other officials and supporters of SEED.

The SEED Foundation secures a long-term lease from D.C. Public Schools for the permanent campus of The SEED School and begins renovation and construction of the new campus.
Bank of America commits a $7.6 million loan to SEED, the largest loan ever made to a U.S. charter school managed by a not-for-profit institution.
The groundbreaking of The SEED School campus is celebrated with individuals and foundations whose gifts made SEED possible.
The School expands to serve 120 students in grades seven, eight and nine.

The SEED Foundation identifies a former D.C. Public School building in southeast Washington, D.C. as the future campus of The SEED School .
The SEED Foundation raises $4 million in commitments
The SEED School expands to serve 70 students in grades seven and eight.

The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board grants a charter to The SEED School.
The SEED Foundation secures temporary academic and dormitory space at the Capital Children’s Museum.
The School receives a $500,000 gift, enabling it to open its doors.
The SEED School of Washington, D.C. opens at the Capital Children’s Museum with 40 seventh graders.

The SEED Foundation is established to launch schools to benefit urban children. The Foundation opens the country’s first urban public boarding school in Washington, D.C.
Scores of interviews are conducted nationally with community and political leaders, public and private school educators, administrators of the D.C. Public Schools, child welfare advocates, charter school organizers and parents/guardians.
The SEED Foundation successfully lobbies the U.S. Congress and the Council of the District of Columbia to amend the education budget to provide additional operating funds for boarding charter schools in the District of Columbia.
The SEED Foundation obtains a provisional charter from the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board.
The Capital Children’s Museum is identified as a temporary site for the School.