The Academy of Hope was founded in 1985 by two teachers who believed that education could empower those most marginalized in Washington, D.C. It was clear that people trapped in the cycle of poverty lacked basic reading, writing and math skills, and they needed to acquire jobs that paid living wages. Academy of Hope’s mission is to provide high quality adult basic education in a manner that changes lives and improves our community.

Academy of Hope is considered one of the most successful programs of its kind. Students become part of a learning community where everyone is valued, adds value and is both a teacher and a learner. Our curriculum is experiential and focuses on life skills, which means that students can immediately begin applying what they’re learning to their own lives