About ECA

Early Childhood Academy Public Charter School, Inc. (ECA) was founded in 2005 under the chartering authority of the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board. As a public charter school in the District of Columbia, ECA is free and open to all DC residents. ECA currently serves students in preschool through first grade and is adding a higher grade each school year. When fully enrolled, ECA will serve students through third grade.

Language and literacy development is the primary focus of academic learning. ECA believes that young children who leave the primary grades as proficient readers have a strong foundation for continued success in all the subject areas. Therefore, emergent reading and writing, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary building, and comprehension are major areas of focus in all classrooms. Preschool and prekindergarten students are provided developmentally appropriate instruction using the Pearson Opening the World of Learning (OWL) program and the Creative Curriculum. Upper grade students use the Houghton Mifflin reading series, which includes reading anthologies, leveled readers, phonics readers, and many resources that enable teachers to appropriately differentiate instruction.

Math instruction is provided to preschool and prekindergarten students using the Pearson Math program. Upper grade students use the McGraw Hill Everyday Math series. Both math programs support students’ understanding of mathematical concepts through authentic learning activities that require students’ active participation and promote higher level thinking skills. In addition to the core subjects of reading and language arts, math, social studies, and science, ECA offers special instruction in music, violin, and Spanish. ECA also offers Head Start programs for preschool and prekindergarten students.

ECA believes that students learn best in an environment that supports both academic and social/emotional growth and development. The school utilizes a Unified Behavior Management Plan to support students’ development of self-confidence and a caring attitude toward others. Using the Unified Behavior Management Plan, teachers incorporate ten core values and five school-wide rules in daily instruction. These school rules and core values form the basis of school expectations for student behavior.