The James F. Oyster Bilingual Public Elementary School building in Washington, D.C., was overcrowded, deteriorating and poorly supported the school’s nationally acclaimed English/Spanish dual language immersion program. Built in 1926, the school did not have appropriate space for instruction. After-school program offices were squeezed into converted closet space and neighborhood organizations had no access to the school for meetings, recreation, or other community uses.

The 21st Century School Fund, working with the Oyster Community Council (OCC, the school’s PTA), the Local School Restructuring Team, then-principal Paquita Holland and neighborhood residents, found a creative solution — a public-private partnership among the community, the government and the private sector — that saved the school and increased city revenue. This solution is unusual — but can be repeated in other urban communities.