As students at DC Prep participate in end-of-year trips, field days, dances, and awards ceremonies, the eighth graders are getting ready for what might be the biggest transition of their young lives — the move to high school.

The high-performing public charter school’s 280 eighth graders have all been accepted to college preparatory high schools. More than 60% have been admitted to selective high schools and, together, they have been awarded more than $6.9 million in scholarships.

“At DC Prep, we start talking about high school the minute students and families walk through our doors, from the earliest grade levels, because we know a rigorous high school is essential to college success,” said Julie Moeller, the director of high school placement at DC Prep’s Edgewood Middle Campus.

Jahari Shelton, who will be attending Sidwell Friends School—President Obama’s daughters’ school— said he met with Moeller and researched on his own as he prepared to move up to high school. Jahari, who plans to run for Congress or President someday, said his time at Sidwell Friends would help him to prepare for both college and his political dreams.

“In high school, I want at least a 3.75 GPA overall, I want to be well-versed about the world, not just the city, I want a clear understanding of myself as a person,” he said of his four-year plan. “I want to get to know myself, so I know exactly what I want to do in college and life.”

Jahari said the values he has learned at DC Prep — primarily reflection and refinement — will help him to succeed. “Not everything will go perfectly,” he said. “You’ll make mistakes. It’s important that you learn from them and don’t make the same ones over and over again.”

A classmate, Marquette Brown, who will attend Phillips Exeter Academy, has been a DC Prep student since the first grade. He said he decided on Exeter after extensive research and conversations with his older brother, a DC Prep alumnus who attends a Washington charter school.

The aspiring novelist said at boarding school, he plans to learn Japanese and hone his creative writing skills. He’ll also bring some life lessons from DC Prep to New Hampshire: “Just keep trying. It’s the most important thing I've learned at DC Prep. And, to value the things you have.”

Another eighth grader, Heaven Smith, said her high school research — and tips from DC Prep alumni — convinced her that boarding school was the best path. She will be attending The Hill School in Pottstown, PA in the fall. She said her high school experience would prepare her for college, hopefully at Columbia, after which she plans to work in medicine.

“I’ve always wanted to travel and see the world, and to help people everywhere,” she said.

Like her classmates, Heaven says she will take her “never give up” attitude to boarding school.

“Hard work always pays off in the long run,” she said.