Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts (RWCPS) is a public high school founded to transform students in grades 8-12 into well-versed media contributors by providing a student-centered environment that exposes them to the classics, modern languages, and a curriculum focused on strong communication skills. The organization requested a $9.7 million construction loan for leasehold improvements on the charter school.

The scope of this project will include a gut renovation of a leased building for Floors 1-4 that will upgrade mechanical systems, windows, plumbing, drop ceilings, lighting, electrical fixtures, flooring, and tile. Upon completion of these renovations, RWCPS will move its campus (with 300 students) to the leasehold location. The leasehold location will support RWPCS’s future expansion as well as the AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School who will occupy 11,000 sq. ft. of the first floor.

RWCPS was founded in 2011 in the Southeast Quadrant of Washington, DC near the Metro, making the school more accessible for low-income students east of the river. Their location is viewed as critical to both their expansion plans and ability to operate a quality program at scale. Additionally, RWCPS is the only public high school in the District of Columbia metropolitan area that focuses on a Latin-based curriculum centered in humanities and accented by a Journalism and Media Arts program which was adopted and based on the highly noted Boston Latin School of Massachusetts.

PCG worked with City First Bank to provide $1,500,000 pari passu participation in a $9.7 million loan. Capital Impact Partners also provided a $2.5 million participation as well. City First Bank and Capital Impact Partners are long time lending partners with PCG.