Image Changes

A few schools are trying to improve the image they have in their communities:

The publicity campaign in Washington, D.C. is called "Rediscover DCPS" and is going to include a section on the school web site, a radio campaign, and early enrollment.

"Did you know," the announcer intones on the ads, which aired last month on WPGC (95.5 FM) and are scheduled to run again next month, "that the only school in D.C. to earn a national ribbon for excellence last year was a D.C. public school? Go public and get a great free education!"

Reportedly, it will cost $9000. D.C.'s enrollment has gone from 80,000 thirty years ago to 45,000 this year.

Richmond, Virginia is also rolling out a more expensive campaign, spending $50,000 on the print portion campaign called "Choice" which will start April 25. There is not yet an estimate on how much the rest of the campaign will cost. Richmond has 24, 000 public students in a district that has 35,000 school-aged children.