Alice Deal Middle School

The school's mission is to inspire excellence, curiosity, and compassion through intellectual and social engagement, with a vision that every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to influence society. The community operates under the mantra "Here We GROW," emphasizing high expectations, intentional relationship-building, and the development of critical thinking skills. The school is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, challenging students to consider multiple perspectives and engage with questions of social justice.

The school provides a challenging academic program that encompasses the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program. The curriculum includes instruction in three foreign languages: Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. Non-core subjects vary by grade level, with 6th graders taking art, music, and health/physical education; 7th graders taking music and health/physical education; and 8th graders taking art and health/physical education.

Alice Deal Middle School was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2019 by the U.S. Department of Education. The school's alumni include notable figures in law, government, finance, and the arts, such as D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine, investor Warren Buffett, and film director Merawi Gerima. Students are encouraged to engage in goal-setting and progress monitoring to celebrate their academic achievements throughout the year.

The school integrates Social Emotional Academic Development (SEAD) into daily life, including classroom lessons, advisory periods, assemblies, and group activities. Staff are trained to teach students organizational skills, relationship building, and goal-setting to help them navigate the middle school experience. Each grade level is organized into "Teams" of approximately 100 students who share the same teachers and advisories to provide a more personalized and supportive environment.

Prospective families can access information through the school's website, which includes resources for new students and details on open house events. The school facilitates a "RISE" summer bridge program for incoming 6th graders to assist with the transition. Families are encouraged to sign up for news and updates via the school's communication channels.

The school operates on a term-based system, with the academic year divided into four terms. The school maintains an active calendar of events, including academic milestones, extracurricular activities, and community gatherings, which is available for subscription via email, iCal, or Google Calendar.

Located in Washington, D.C., the campus consists of a main building originally opened in 1931 and the renovated Reno building, which are connected by a passage. The facilities support a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities, including classrooms designed for critical thinking, library resources, and spaces for sports and arts.

The school offers a robust extracurricular program featuring as many as 60 clubs and activities, including a Model UN club, a debate team, a robotics team (the Deal Dynamos), and a Battle of the Books team. Additionally, there are more than 20 sports available, with teams participating in the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA). The school also hosts theater productions and various student-led initiatives.