Class Offerings 2017 Class Offerings 2017-2018_December | Page 4

History of the Carlos Rosario School
The School was established more than 40 years ago
by Carlos Manuel Rosario. Mr. Rosario believed in
education and saw a need to bridge the gap of
English language education for the Latino
community of Washington, D.C.
Rosario founded PEILA, Program of English
Instruction for Latin Americans. Based in
Columbia Heights, PEILA addressed the critical
problems created by language barriers and the lack
of culturally-appropriate information available to the
immigrant community.
Carlos Rosario then met Sonia Gutierrez, a
professional educator at the time. She became
the new director of the institution. As Director, she
transformed the small, under-funded ESL program
into a comprehensive adult education program.
Training Tomorrow’s Diverse Workforce
Over the past 40 plus years, the Carlos Rosario School has impacted the lives of more
than sixty thousand immigrants by investing in and supporting their journey to achieve the
American Dream. Our education model combines adult education with life skills programs
and support services. English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction is embedded in life
and technology skills, health education, parenting, civics, and workforce training. The School
celebrates a long established local, regional, and national reputation for excellence and our
programs are recognized as high quality and impactful. Thanks to the School’s programs,
tens of thousands of adults have obtained high school diplomas; become U.S. citizens;
gained the English skills necessary to advocate for their children; obtained college degrees
and workforce certifications; and entered into careers and climbed career ladders.
Our Mission
In 1996, the School was forced to close due to a
financial crisis in the District government that
impacted DC Public Schools. Sonia Gutierrez worked
from her home basement for two years to earn
enough money to reopen the school.
In 1998, the school reopened under the new name,
the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter
School, and became the first adult charter school in
the nation.
In 2004, the School moved into its Harvard Street
Campus location in northwest D.C.’s Columbia
Heights neighborhood.
In 2013, the Carlos Rosario School expanded to a
second building - the Sonia Gutierrez Campus in
Eckington, northeast D.C.
The Carlos Rosario School’s mission is to provide education that prepares the
diverse adult immigrant population of Washington, D.C. to become invested,
productive citizens and members of American society who give back to family and
community. The School accomplishes this through excellence in teaching and
learning in partnership with the community by fostering a safe and compassionate
learning environment.
Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School | Class Offerings 2017-2018
3