Washington (WUSA9) — STEM Students are now taking over the failed efforts to save one of Washington's oldest Public Charter Schools after the city's Public Charter School Board voted to close the facility at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.
"It's a part of me," said Washington Mathematics Science and Technology Public Charter School Senior and Student Government President Tori Walker. "When this closes, like a part of me will be gone."
The students have launched a GoFundMe page and a #SAVEWMST campaign on social media.
At least $500,000 is needed to keep the school on Bladensburg Road NE alive.
Washington's Public Charter School Board voted Monday to close down WMST because the school is "no longer economically viable," according to a board statement.
The school is appealing the decision.
The school was founded in 1998 and has a near 100 percent graduation rate. Students may not graduate without achieving at least one college acceptance.
Thirty percent of the school's 260 students participate in Air Force ROTC and wear military uniforms to class.
