Every Friendship PCS Graduating Senior is Headed to College
Fully 100% of all graduating seniors in the 2025 class at Friendship Public Charter School were accepted to college, a remarkable achievement for both students and the school. Friendship PCS is showing what’s possible when vision meets unwavering commitment, bucking citywide trends on graduation and college attendance.
Standing Out
While the District’s overall graduation rate hovers around 76 percent and only a quarter of DC graduates complete a four-year postsecondary program, Friendship has quietly been rewriting the narrative of educational possibility.
In the District, less than 60 percent of graduating seniors enroll in postsecondary programs within a year of graduation. But nearly every senior at Friendship PCS graduated this year and all of those graduates were accepted to college.
What’s happening is especially remarkable for students starting furthest from opportunity at Friendship. Post-pandemic, economically disadvantaged students at Friendship are 57 percent more likely to graduate on time and enroll in postsecondary education than their peers citywide.
“Friendship’s Class of 2025 represents everything we stand for,” said Patricia Brantley, CEO of Friendship Public Charter School. “With more than $25 million in scholarships and acceptances to schools like Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Howard, North Carolina A&T, and Duke, these students show the world what excellence looks like.”
A Foundation Built on Potential
The secret to Friendship’s success lies in its unwavering belief in student potential from day one. Through student-centered learning, career and technical education (CTE), and an environment that nurtures growth, the school has created a pipeline of achievement that defies conventional expectations.
Dr. Peggy Jones, Principal of Friendship Collegiate Academy Early College High School, reflects on the transformation: “The graduates of Friendship Collegiate Academy’s Class of 2025 have earned over $20 million in scholarships, completed college-level coursework, and gained real-world experience through internships that have shaped their path forward. Their excellence, resilience, and unwavering sense of purpose remind us all that they are not only ready for the world—they are ready to lead it.”
Two Stories of Unlimited Potential
Seth Martin: From DC to Carnegie Mellon
Seth Martin’s journey embodies the power of perseverance and preparation. The valedictorian at Friendship Tech Prep and a Gates Scholar, Seth calls the school his “second village.” Raised in Southeast DC, he found in Friendship the support system, engaging coursework, and unique opportunities that would propel him toward academic excellence.
His path to Carnegie Mellon University was paved with extraordinary experiences: interning with NASA’s TechRise program to design solar-powered hot air balloons for tracking thermal energy, engaging in hands-on projects with Raytheon to explore defense and tech careers, and representing his school at Georgetown University’s Model UN NAMEN Conference, where he connected with students from around the world. Along the way, he took college-level courses at Arizona State University and Cornell University, including environmental science and cloud computing.
Seth’s story illustrates what Kun Ye Booth, Principal of Friendship Technology Preparatory Academy, describes as the school’s mission.
“The Class of 2025 has shown us what’s possible when grit meets vision. These graduates have shattered expectations, embraced leadership, and remained steadfast even when the path wasn’t clear. They are truly Built by Grit and Driven by Innovation—and ready to rise.”
A’Zarea Cunningham: A Journey to Cornell
A’Zarea Cunningham’s story spans her entire educational journey at Friendship, from pre-K3 to her senior year at Friendship Tech Prep. Now a QuestBridge Scholar headed to Cornell University, she exemplifies the transformative power of sustained educational excellence.
Her path to Cornell was marked by remarkable achievements: participating in the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) Mentor Program, which earned her an additional scholarship to attend Cornell; taking dual-enrollment courses in environmental science at Cornell University; and completing summer courses at Columbia University studying design theory and at Syracuse University. Her global perspective was shaped by a study abroad experience in Panama with Martha’s Table, where she volunteered at schools and community gardens.
A’Zarea took 12 AP courses—including one on seismic science to support her dream of becoming an architect—and completed over 200 hours of community service with organizations like DC Central Kitchen, local animal shelters, and Martha’s Table. Her journey represents the comprehensive development that Friendship fosters in its students.
A Model for Educational Excellence
The success of students like Seth and A’Zarea reflects a broader transformation happening at Friendship Public Charter School. In a city where educational outcomes often reflect socioeconomic disparities, Friendship has created a model that proves what’s possible when schools combine high expectations with comprehensive support.
“This is the Friendship graduate profile—young people with purpose, perseverance, and extraordinary potential, inspired and guided by educators who know their brilliance and are deeply committed to their success,” said Brantley.
As these graduates prepare to enter some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, they carry with them not just individual achievements, but proof that with the right environment, support, and expectations, every student can reach extraordinary heights. In doing so, they’re not just changing their own trajectories—they’re rewriting the narrative of what’s possible for students across the nation’s capital and beyond.