College Signing Day

Washington, D.C. – The DC College Access Program (DC CAP) is excited to announce the much-anticipated College Signing Day. Scheduled for April 30, 2024, at Capital One Arena, this year’s event will host thousands of students from across Washington D.C. and the broader DMV area, commemorating their dedication to higher education.

College Signing Day 2024 stands as a testament to the resilience and ambition of the students that DC CAP serves. Inspired by Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, which has championed College Signing Day events to celebrate students’ commitment to higher education, the event will offer a platform for high school seniors to celebrate their future educational paths and the decisions they make to follow them —whether it be four-year universities, two-year colleges, community colleges, certificate programs, military service, or other academic endeavors.

In a groundbreaking announcement, DC CAP will unveil the 2050 Moonshot Goal during College Signing Day. This ambitious initiative targets an 80% city-wide six-year college graduation rate, aiming to eliminate the higher education achievement gap and foster educational equity within the District.

Event Details & Special Guests:
● Date: April 30, 2024
● Location: Capital One Arena, 601 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
● Featuring: This year, we are privileged to announce that DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee will be speaking, further highlighting the importance of education in our community. The event will be a vibrant showcase including celebrity speakers and dynamic performances. Past events have proudly hosted stars such as Usher, Ciara, Conan O’Brien, and Bradley Cooper.

A Message from Our Leaders:
“College Signing Day underscores the critical importance of pursuing education beyond high school,” said DC CAP President and CEO, Eric Waldo. “It celebrates the determination of our students as they commit to their next chapters and reflects DC CAP’s dedication to fostering an environment where continued education and college completion is seen as essential for our community’s growth.”

“From the moment our scholars enter our doors in pre-kindergarten, DC Public Schools works diligently to foster a learning environment that ensures our students know what is possible beyond graduation,” said DCPS Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “We are grateful to have DC CAP as a critical partner in this work helping to equip students with the financial means and advisory support to sustain their collegiate journeys. College Signing Day is an opportunity to celebrate student achievement and, through the 2050 Moonshot Goal, reaffirm our city’s commitment to post-secondary educational equity and success.”

“I’m excited about the upcoming College Signing Day and celebrating the dreams and aspirations of our students as they take their next steps toward higher education and career paths,” said Julia Hellmich, Managing Director of KIPP Forward for KIPP DC Public Schools. “This celebration not only signifies a pivotal moment in the lives of our students but also our collective commitment towards a culture of college and career readiness city-wide.”

“However these scholars choose to learn, grow, and contribute to their communities, I am so proud to host them and the educators for a day of celebration of their academic achievement and their future at Capital One Arena,” said Ted Leonsis, chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “I’ve been chairman of DC College Access Program for the past nine years, on the board for five years prior to that, and in that time, we’ve proudly fostered 14,000+ graduates and awarded $55+ million in scholarships to D.C. students. We look forward to helping so many more achieve their dreams in the years to come.”

Join Us:
DC CAP invites students, educators, and community partners to join in this momentous occasion. Together, we can make a difference, inspiring the next generation to reach new heights and achieve their dreams.

About DC CAP:
The DC College Access Program (DC CAP) is a nonprofit organization committed to encouraging and enabling D.C. students to enroll and graduate from college. DC CAP has worked with students, parents and educational partners for over 20 years to inspire, counsel and provide fundamental support to DC students, the majority of which come from low-income families. DC CAP continues to achieve its goals of creating an enduring and measurable college-going culture within Washington, DC, assisting in disrupting the cycle of poverty by empowering students and their families to pursue their college education. For more, visit: https://dccap.org/

For media inquiries, please contact: info@dccap.org.

About DC CAP

DC College Access Program (DC CAP) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping DC students enroll in and graduate from college.