1. 21st Century School Fund Page 1
Information onRoosevelt STAY
for the Roosevelt HSModernization
EducationSpecification Revision
May 7, 2013
Compiled by Alex Donahue and Nancy Huvendick
This report is designed to provide information about Roosevelt STAY High School (RSTAY) that should be
included in an accurate revision of the education specifications for Roosevelt HS. This information has
been compiled through research and consultation with the principal of Roosevelt STAY.
I. Overview
Roosevelt STAY (School To Aid Youth) High School (RSTAY) is one of three DCPS citywide adult-education
high schools serving students age 18 and older who are returning to school to complete a high school
diploma, earn a vocational certification, or prepare for the GED exam. RSTAY also offers classes in
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). RSTAY opened in January 2002, joining Spingarn STAY
(1965–2013) in Northeast and Ballou STAY (1989–present) in Southeast. RSTAY has been led by Dr. Sean
Yisrael since 2008. (Sean.Yisrael@dc.gov; 202-576-8399).
RSTAY currently operates Monday through Thursday from 3:40pm to 9:15pm, with a few
career/technical education classes beginning at 2:00pm. However, there is considerable demand for
morning and early-afternoon classes to meet the needs of students who cannot attend in the evening
due to work or family responsibilities.
II. Student Population and Enrollment
As a citywide program, RSTAY has no attendance zone, and can admit residents from all over the District
of Columbia (5 DCMR 2002.3(c)). As an adult-education program of DCPS, RSTAY may admit students
age 16 or older (5 DCMR 2005.3). However, because the primary focus of the program is adult
education and the comprehensive high schools are available and are best positioned to serve the vast
majority of students under 18, the campus policy of RSTAY is to admit only students age 18 and older.
These students are called “STAY students.” To participate in the portfolio-based External Diploma
Program (EDP), students must be at least 22 years old.
The average age of the STAY students is approximately 29 years old. Students in the 18–24 year old
category are often those who just need a few credits to graduate; they generally remain in STAY until
they can get the diploma. But many students need as many as 15 credits to earn a diploma and, as they
progress at STAY, they also often see the use of doing a “dual” program to earn a diploma and a
simultaneous skill certification.

2. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
2
ESOL students generally take classes that run from 6:30–9:15pm. STAY presses the case to these
students that they should stay to complete their GED or diploma as well as a CTE certification. In SY
2012–13, RSTAY had 47 ELL students.
In previous years, RSTAY served on a space-available basis a considerable number of current students of
other D.C. high schools who needed an evening class or two in order to graduate (called “shared
students”). RSTAY received no funding for shared students. Since 2008, however, the development of
evening credit-recovery programs at the comprehensive high schools has reduced the demand for
shared-student seats to almost zero. In addition, due to RSTAY’s success in attracting growing numbers
of STAY students, few if any seats have been available for shared students. In fall 2012, RSTAY hit its
program capacity of 668 without admitting any shared students. In spring 2013, none of the few seats
available for shared students were filled.
Rolling Registration
RSTAY currently enrolls a majority of its students at the beginning of the school year. However, because
some of its students complete their needed classes before June and others drop out or take a term or
semester off from classes, seats open up mid-year. RSTAY accordingly can and does accept additional
students at the start of the 2nd
, 3rd
, and 4th
terms (quarters). As a result, RSTAY serves more students per
year than is reflected in its October enrollment count numbers. This is significant because, while the
enrollment on any given day may not be much higher than the October number, the total number of
students that must be processed over the course of the year by the administrative staff and counseling
staff is substantially greater.
Past and Current Enrollments
RSTAY’s enrollment has fluctuated considerably over the years as a result of changing economic
conditions, changing administrative objectives and policies, and fluctuating budgets.
2002-
03
2003-
04
2004-
05
2005-
06
2006-
07
2007-
08
2008-
09
2009-
10
2010-
11
2011-
12
2012-
13
STAY
student
enrollment
(reported
Oct.
count)
268 353 340 322 343 345 265 247 672 579 652
Total STAY
student
enrollment
Sep-June*
645 708 561 515 552 517 511 580
Not
avail.
839 —
* Data from RSTAY records
RSTAY enrollment has been increasing in recent years, returning to levels comparable to the school’s
initial years. This is partly because the economic downturn has driven more residents back to school to
improve their job qualificationsand partly because RSTAY has actively marketed its program. RSTAY
connects with grassroots and social-service organizations to get the word out and has run a TV ad in
most recent years. RSTAY also has put information out on the radio and provides marketing materials
(notebooks, pens, etc.). Recently, RSTAYhas mass-mailed postcards to potential students.

3. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
3
Projecting Future Enrollment
The enrollment numbers above do not provide a normative enrollment level or a clear trend line for
RSTAY that can be used to predict future enrollments. Projections should be based on an assessment of
demand factors including the eligible population, economic trends, and expressed demand.
A base demand level is visible in the current enrollment. In October 2012, RSTAY’s audited enrollment
was 652. In late September 2012, RSTAY reached program/budgetary capacity with 668 students. Dr.
Yisrael sees evidence of continued strong demand. In addition, it is known that DCPS will close Spingarn
STAY in June 2013. It is estimated that at least half of Spingarn STAY’s current audited enrollment of 124
will come to RSTAY. This suggests that enrollment in 2013-14 could easily surpass 700.
But this is only part of the picture. Information collected by Dr. Yisrael suggests that there is significant
unmet demand out in the community for RSTAY’s services. Dr. Yisrael estimates from his contacts with
the community that there are at least 100–150 students per year currently interested in attending
RSTAY whom the school cannot currently accommodate. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American
Community Survey estimated in 2009 that there were 36,553 D.C. residents west of the Anacostia River
who were age 25 or older and who lacked a high school diploma. While some may have moved or
obtained a diploma since 2009, it is likely that there remains a potential population of more than 30,000
who are eligible to attend Roosevelt STAY. With Spingarn STAY closing, and few residents living west of
the Anacostia River likely to choose to attend Ballou STAY, Roosevelt STAY becomes one of only two
institutions west of the Anacostia River offering a high school diploma program for adults (the other
being Booker T. Washington Public Charter School). With planned outreach, RSTAY hopes to help
motivate and attract more of the thousands of D.C. residents who lack a high school diploma.
The concept of coordinating or even consolidating DCPS STAY programs with the new Community
College of UDC has been raised in past years. It is known that offering HSD (High School Diploma)
programs in a college setting is likely to be more attractive to adults than offering them in a high school
facility. In addition, siting HSD and CTE programming in a college setting may facilitate curricular and
programmatic coordination between the secondary and post-secondary staffs and make transitions to
college easier and more likely for students. RSTAY is open to the concept of operating HSD classes in
partnership with UDC or the Community College of D.C. in a satellite location. However, RSTAY is not
aware of any recent discussions or action around the idea. RSTAY must plan to continue to operate at
Roosevelt for the foreseeable future.
RSTAY accordingly recommends that the RSTAY portions of a modernized Roosevelt be designed for a
program capacity of 800. The March 2013 Ed Specs include an enrollment projection of 600, which is
insufficient. If RSTAY is to be able to meet the likely and potential student demand over the next years,
space for 800 must be provided.
III. Current Programs
RSTAY offers two routes to a high school diploma—a standard high school diploma program (HSD) and a
nationally recognized portfolio-based independent-study program called the External Diploma Program
(EDP). In the HSD program, RSTAY offers selected core academic and elective courses along with
career/technical courses that lead to vocational certificates in computer science, culinary arts,
hospitality management, business and finance, barbering, and cosmetology.

4. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
4
Schedule
Course Offerings 2012–13
Literacy; English 1, 2, 3, 4; Writing Workshop 1, 2
Skill building – English; Skill building – Math
Algebra 1,2; Probability and Statistics; Geometry
GED Beginning Reading; GED Beginning Sociology; GED Math
Environmental Science; Chemistry; Earth Science; Biology
Spanish 1, 2
Geography; World Geography
World History 1,2; DC History; US History; US Government
General Music, 03, 04, 05, 06, 09, 10, 11, 12
Art 01, 02, 03, 04
ESOL - Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced
SEP math, English
Advisory
Senior Project
Due to budgetary and existing space constraints, these course offerings do not include everything that
RSTAY should offer. As the RSTAY program grows, additional courses will be added. As a result, the
charts in the following section include projections for subject teachers and needed space.
Under DC regulations(Title 5 DCMR 2203), evening high school students are not required to take physical
education courses to graduate, and RSTAY currently does not offer physical education courses.
However, RSTAY has determined that some of RSTAY’s students would benefit from adding some
physical education courses—particularly indoor activities such as swimming, basketball, volleyball, and
weight training.
CTE Programs
Students often start out just trying to finish their HS diploma but then see the certifications available in
CTE and stay to pick up a marketable skill. Currently, RSTAY offers the following CTE courses:
Barbering Lab;Barbering 1, 1B, 2, 3
Cosmetology Lab; Cosmetology 1, 2
High School Diploma (HSD)
Monday-Thursday
Period 1: 3:40-5:16 PM
Period 2: 5:30-7:16 PM
Period 3: 7:30-9:06 PM
Barbering and Cosmetology
2:00 PM - 9:15 PM
External Diploma Program (EDP)
Monday-Thursday
4:30-8:30 PM
English as a Second Language (ESOL)
Monday-Thursday 6:30-9:00 PM

5. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
5
Principles of Business 1, 2; Financial Planning; Banking and Credit; Microsoft Office Applications
1, 2; Insurance; Macro Economics; Accounting 1
Communications Technology 1, 2, 3; Internet Core Computer Concepts
Culinary Arts 1, 2, 3
However, CTE programming at RSTAY is likely to change in coming years. RSTAY plansto adjust its CTE
program offerings with careful and intentional alignment to the projected growth industries in which
jobs are expected to be available in D.C.
Because the CTE programming that RSTAY offers is likely to change over the course of coming years,
RSTAY requires the inclusion of CTE classroom and lab space that is flexible and easily reconfigurable to
allow varied uses.
External Diploma Program
In the EDP, students work in an independent-study format to complete competency-based activities and
tests that are compiled into a portfolio guided and evaluated by a trained advisor. The program is
designed for older students and those with jobs and family responsibilities. Students do not come to
school every day, but rather drop in on a weekly basis and as needed for guidance and support. RSTAY
currently has four EDP advisors. In spring 2013, RSTAY has about 100 EDP students. The program is
very successful and is growing. Of the 100 STAY graduates last year, 70 were EDP students. Currently
this program is open to students age 22 and older, but there is a possibility that the national
organization will lower the eligibility age to 16 in the near future. If that takes place, increased demand
for EDP is expected.
The EDP students and their four advisors need conference space where they can meet to discuss
portfolio progress and conduct tutoring. At the least, semi-private cubicles for advisors as well as
waiting-room space for students are required. Some limited workspace for EDP students is also needed,
although this need could be met by a library/media center.
IV. Facilities Needs
This chart lists the instructional, support, and administrative areas needed for RSTAY based on both
current operations and projected future program and enrollment growth. Bolded entries in the charts
below identify the spaces that need to be dedicated to RSTAY use at all hours in order to support
programming and provide RSTAY with the flexibility to continue to develop and offer programming for
its student population both during and after the day-school’s hours of operation. In addition to these
bolded entries, a minimum of four standard classrooms need to be dedicated RSTAY space.
Instructional Staffing
Subject Current
Teachers
Projected
Teachers
Std.
Classrooms
Specialized Classrooms/ Labs
English and Creative Writing 3 4 4
Math 2 3 3
Social Studies 2 3 3
Biology 0 1 1 1 Bio Lab
Chemistry 0 1 1 1 Chem Lab
Physics 0 1 1 1 Physics Lab

6. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
6
Subject Current
Teachers
Projected
Teachers
Std.
Classrooms
Specialized Classrooms/ Labs
Other Science 1 1 1
Foreign Language 1 1 1
Music 1 1 0 1 Music Room
Art 1 1 0 1 Art Room
Physical Education/Health 0 1 1 + Access to athletic facils
Business& Communications 1 2 2
Barbering & Cosmetology 1 1 0 Barbering & cosmetology
lab(s)
Computer Applications &
Financial Planning
1 1 ? Computer lab
Culinary Arts 1 1 0 1 culinary kitchen/lab
Computer Repair 1 1 0 1 computer repair lab
Other CTE (TBD) 0 2 0 2 configurable labs
Pre-GED 1 2 2
ESOL 3 4 4
External Diploma Program (EDP); 5 6 0 6 cubicles w/ guest chairs;
waiting space; work space
Skills Enhancement (SEP)-(small
group instruction?)
2 3 2
27 41 26 12 labs/special rooms
Instructional Support and Student Services
Current Projected Space Needed*
Librarian 1 1 Library Media Center
Library Aide 0 0
Dean of Students 1 1 Office
Guidance Counselor 1 2 Office
Psychologist/Social Worker 1 1 Office
Internship Coordinator 0 1 Cubicle
Parent & Community Coordinator 1 1 Cubicle (or Parent Center?)
Nurse 0 0
Special Education Services 1 1 Cubicle?
Conference Room
Teacher Workroom/Lounge
Storage
Total Instructional Support 6 8
* All cubicles need one guest chair near desk at a minimum.
Administration and Operations
Current Projected Minimum Space Needed*
Principal 1 1 Office with Conference table
Business Manager 1 1 Cubicle, some supply storage
Attendance Officer 1 1 Cubicle

7. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
7
Registrar 1 1 Cubicle; waiting space for students
Administrative Officers 3 4 Cubicles?
Instructional Coach 1 1 Office or cubicle
Program Coordinator 1 1 Office or cubicle
Tech Support and Computer Lab 1 1 Desk in computer lab;Storage closet
Security aide ? ? ?
Custodian 4 5 Large storage closet for supplies
Total 14 16
* All cubicles need one guest chair near desk at a minimum.
About 6 of the faculty are full-time instructors. The remaining teachers teach one to two classes per
day. In contrast with previous years, only a handful of the instructors are Roosevelt teachers or other
DCPS teachers working a second shift. Currently, the majority of RSTAY teachers are Maryland-certified
teachers or college- level instructors. As most drive from some distance, staff parking spaces are
needed.
Currently, RSTAY functions after the regular Roosevelt high school day program finishes by making
shared use of approximately 18 Roosevelt classrooms, as well as ancillary spaces such as the computer
labs and media center. RSTAY currently shares 18 Roosevelt classrooms. RSTAY has provided large
locked wardrobe cabinets for STAY teaching materials, but they are not built-in, are not as durable as
built-in storage, and will not last as long. Any shared classrooms need additional locked storage space
for a portion of the day classroom materials as well.
A major issue for RSTAY is that the current lack of classrooms dedicated to RSTAY prevents RSTAY from
operating needed classes (mainly CTE classes) in the morning and early afternoon. It is recommended
that RSTAY be allocated at least six dedicated RSTAY-only classrooms. These should be near the RSTAY
entrance and admin/support space.
The number of students assigned to STAY classrooms tends to be large with up to 30 in a classroom in
academic classes and up to 50 in CTE classes. Seating/desks need to be provided in classrooms for these
numbers, which are higher than the 24-25 allowed for standard day student classrooms. The square
footage of the shared classroom space would also have to reflect the numbers of students expected to
be in attendance; 800-900 sq. ft. may not be sufficient, particularly as additional storage space is
required.
It is recommended that RSTAY be given some access to pool, gym, and other sports facilities in a
modernized Roosevelt.
Technology
Very few Roosevelt classrooms currently have computers. Consequently, STAY teachers would welcome
using the student computers planned for every classroom at Roosevelt and the Smart board or
projection device that will be available. RSTAY has one set of laptops on a cart that is kept in the
principal’s office, but it would be much better to have a set for each floor so teachers on each floor
could have access. STAY shares the Roosevelt computer classroom which they use mostly for testing
and they also use the technology in room 205. Having another working elevator would make the use of
laptop carts a lot more efficient.

8. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
8
Teacher Support
Full-time teachers currently begin at 1:00pm, have an hour of planning time, a lunch break, and then
teach classes from 3:40-9:15. Barbering and cosmetology teachers often start at 2:00pm and continue
through 9:15 in order to provide students with additional class hours required for a certificate.
Teachers need more adequate teacher prep/workroom space. Currently, some teachers use the space
above the stage but that is not optimal. A separate teachers’ workroom with desks, computers, and
tables for prep work, and lockable storage space is needed. Because many RSTAY teachers are
effectively itinerant,lockable storage space for each teacher is crucial. General support storage for
teaching supplies and materials needs to be generous.
RSTAY has its own copier/printer now but having one for the main office and one in the teacher
workroom is necessary to properly support both administrative and instructional activities.
Student Support
Private offices or cubicles with guest seating are needed for these staff, and they need to be located
near the main administrative space. A reception area would be optimal, possibly shared with or
adjacent to the space for central administration. At least one transgender restroom is required.
AdministrativeSupport
RSTAYcurrently has five or six administrative and student-support staff housed in cubicles in an “office”
room, and uses a former classroom as an office for the principal. Others have no dedicated space, while
some are housed in classroom space converted to sub-functional office space. These arrangements are
not adequate.
STAY administrative offices have requirements very similar to those of the day school offices in terms of
space and adjacencies but should reflect the higher traffic experienced in peak registration periods.
Registration, Entry and Attendance
In addition to registration for the school year that is concentrated during August and September, RSTAY
registers students at intervals during the school year if they have a space in a class at the beginning of
either the 9 or 18 week courses. During the late August/September registration rush, registration is
currently accommodated with a table in a hallway outside of the RSTAY office and some temporary
seating in the 13th
Street entry foyer. This is not recommended. There are concerns about how
registration will be accommodated in swing space.
About 350–400students currently attend during any one evening session. They need some sort of
covered entryway and a gathering place but not so large as is required as for the day program because
arrivals are spread out for 3:40, 5:30 and 7:30 classes, so that bunching up at the scanners is not a great
a problem.
Separate STAYEntrance
RSTAY needs its own entrance that is separate from the Roosevelt HS entrance. It would be convenient
if the entrance were reachable and usable by the day school staff after day-school operations finish and
the day-school entrance is closed. It needs to be well lit for constant use at night and ideally would be
located such that egress to the Georgia Avenue and 13th
Street bus and subway points is direct, safe, and

9. DRAFT Ed Specs Revision—Roosevelt STAY
9
convenient. Students should not all be walking through a parking lot without walkways to get in and out
of the school.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is currently a problem for RSTAY, as most of the limited parking on the campus is used by
Roosevelt staff. RSTAY has up to five administrative staff who arrive at 1:00pm and six teachers who
arrive at 1:00pm who need parking. Most of the current RSTAY students take the bus or subway, but a
number of them drive. To avoid competing with Roosevelt staff staying on campus for
afternoon/evening events, athletics, and meetings, RSTAY needs dedicated parking.
Child Care
A considerable percentage of current and potential RSTAY students have children. In 2012 alone, ten
potential students who expressed interest in RSTAY could not enroll due to the lack of child-care
options. It is expected that children from infants to ten-year-olds would be served. It is recommended
that a largededicated child-care program space be added that could have in it at least two areas for
different age groups.
Food Service - - STAY has an agreement with Chartwells which supplies day program meals for delivery
of about 150 pre-packaged lunches daily to STAY. Students eat in the library - - which is not in use as a
library this year. This is a more convenient location for STAY than the cafeteria and it means that the
custodians do not have to clean a separate space. However, ideally, the library/media center should be
used for study and research. RSTAY needs astudent lounge space with a microwave, vending machines,
and sink. This could be a multi-purpose space near the entrance that could also be used seasonally for
registration and/or meetings.
Lockers
Currently if STAY students want or need a locker the say and STAY administrations work with the day
program to assign a locker and students bring their own locks. In a new building a certain percentage of
STAY students would be provided lockers, possibly in conjunction with the STAY entrance or a student
lounge.
Custodians
Roosevelt STAY has three custodians and a custodial foreman who are part of RSTAY’s local school
budget (separate from Roosevelt HS). RSTAY also funds, purchases, and stores its own custodial
supplies. STAY custodians could make do with a faculty lounge instead of a dedicated office space if
they have separate storage space for RSTAY custodial materials and supplies. So long as Roosevelt and
RSTAY have separate budgets, consolidating custodial storage is not practical or recommended.
Security
STAY is not charged for security from its local school budget. Security officers assigned to STAY cover
the main entrance from about 2:00 pm until 9:30 pm. In swing space, it would be good to have one of
the MacFarland side doors dedicated to STAY.
Swing Space
There is real concern about organizing space in MacFarland to cover the complete STAY program and
worries follow about moving and having enough time to settle in and organize before school starts and
while registration is in progress.