Classes begin at the Whittle School with 180 students

A 2018 artist’s rendering of a Whittle School interior space.

DC Public Schools welcomed students back last week. Classes began this week at the neighborhood’s private schools – Burke, Sheridan and the new Whittle School.

Whittle School & Studios welcomed its first class on Tuesday.

Get a glimpse into some of yesterday's first day of school celebrations at our Shenzhen #WhittleSchool campus! ⬇️#WelcomeToWhittle pic.twitter.com/5EIhKilBkl

— Whittle School & Studios (@WhittleSchool) September 3, 2019

More than 180 students are enrolled in Whittle School’s pre-K3 through 10th grades. In a press release, the Head of School Dennis Bisgaard said, “We are excited to welcome this group of pioneering students.”

The school plans to expand enrollment to 2,500 students within the next five years.

Whittle School touted Chinese language immersion when it first announced its plans to turn the former Intelsat headquarters at 4000 Connecticut Avenue into a school. The press release says students in preschool through second grade will have that option.

“Upper School students will have the opportunity to study abroad at the Whittle School’s second campus in Shenzhen, China, which also opened this week,” it says.

Last week, the Whittle School announced partnerships with nearby Levine Music and Children’s National. Whittle’s pre-K through 10th grade students will be taking music classes at Levine. Children’s National will provide a school nurse and telemedicine services.