Invest In A Legacy Of Learning!

The Next Step Public Charter School was founded to provide youth with the tools and direct services they need to enhance their English skills and/or complete the GED exam (in English or Spanish) and move onward to college or a vocational program. Today, TNS supports youth and adult learners (16-30) by pairing a comprehensive academic program with wraparound services that include social-emotional support, life skills education, workshops in parenting, early college, and programs in college and career readiness. Your donation helps us to continue our mission to provide "students who face extraordinary challenges and who are not supported in traditional high schools with the opportunity to continue their education," throughout Washington, DC.

All donations made to The Next Step are tax-deductible as we are a 501(c)3 organization. Thank you for supporting our school and our students!

TNS was the place that I felt like home.
— David, TNS graduate

Support Our Community And Increase Our Impact, Today!

We partner with educational institutions and community-based organizations to expose students to opportunities that will further develop their skills and provide access to postsecondary resources and education.

Our educational partners include the University of District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC), OSSE’s Consortium Dual Enrollment, and Bard College. Through these partnerships, students are exposed to college rigor and culture and receive college credits for completing college courses while studying at TNS.

New Futures, The International Youth Foundation, and the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work are our partnerships that focus on developing skills and connections to resources.

To combat barriers related to basic needs such as food insecurity and housing instability. The Next Step has partnered with Mary House, Crowder Owens Food Bank, the Greater DC Diaper Bank, and St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Los maestros en TNS brindan mucho apoyo.
— Hessler, Spanish GED & ESL student

Scholarships

The Mundo Scholarship provides ALL graduating The Next Step (TNS) students with a one-time $500 award, and recipients have three years from their successful transition from TNS to use the funds. The scholarship is named after our beloved Jose Mundo, former TNS math teacher.

The Ben Friedberg Scholarship provides TNS graduates with the opportunity to receive a one-time $1000 award, and recipients have three years from their successful transition from TNS to use the funds. For this award, graduates have to submit an application, which includes a personal statement, and complete a panel interview. Two scholarships are awarded each semester. This scholarship is named after our beloved Ben Friedberg, a former TNS teacher.

The ESL Excellence Award is a one-time $500 award created by a former ESL teacher, and it is an opportunity for our students enrolled in the highest level of ESL. Eligible students apply by submitting a video essay that is reviewed by a panel of staff. 

Los maestros en TNS brindan mucho apoyo.
— Hessler, Spanish GED & ESL student

Additional Ways to Give

Donating via AmazonSmile is a simple way to support our school. Click the AmazonSmile Icon above and search “The Next Step Public Charter School." When you select us as your charity, The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase to our school.

TNS has helped me excel in areas I’ve struggled in the past.
— Tanifom, English GED Student
Me [TNS] esta ayudando a realizar mis planes a corto y a largo plazo
— Catarina, Spanish GED & ESL student

If you have specific instructions on how your gift should be acknowledged, please contact us with you contribution at nextstep@nextsteppcs.org