McCormick School

The first school to 'experiment' with summer school within Washington D.C. was located right here in Near-SE but you won't find it standing today.  That first school was McCormick School which was located at 3rd between M and N St SE just north of today's Yards Park.  Prior to the construction of McCormick School, a public tobacco inspection station occupied the site.

McCormick School was built in 1870 and eventually became the test bed for summer school within the Washington D.C. school system in 1899.  The Washington Post reported that the summer school experiment was in fact a success and summer school was expanded throughout the District..  However, by 1906, due to decreasing budgets the school fell into disrepair, “The McCormick School in Southeast Washington is said to be in a dilapidated and unhealthy condition. It is a two-story frame structure with poor sewage and ventilation and plumbing and its quarters are inadequate to accommodate the number of school children living in the area."  The school did manage to stay open for a few years later but in limited capacity and eventually the school was razed as the Navy Yard continued its westward expansion.