WASHINGTON — A few years ago, 19-year-old Precious Lambert seriously considered dropping out of high school.

“I just didn’t feel as safe as I should have, and to be honest, it didn’t feel like a priority to me,” says Lambert, of Southeast D.C.

“It just so happens that my two best friends dropped out in ninth grade year, and that meant more to me than anything because we were all supposed to graduate together — walk across the stage like,