LEARN Charter School Network (LEARN) is pleased to announce the opening of its Washington D.C. campus on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) in Fall 2021.  LEARN was selected through a rigorous process conducted by the Ward 8 Parent Operator Selection Team (POST) to select a new school that would serve children who live on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and in the adjacent neighborhoods. LEARN D.C. will be the first school in the region to focus on the unique needs of both military and Ward 8 families.

LEARN D.C. will open in August 2021 for children in PK3 through 1^st grade, adding a grade level per year until the 8^th grade.

LEARN is excited to have Dr. Jill Gaitens as the Executive Director for LEARN D.C. She will be launching and managing the opening of LEARN’s campus.  Dr. Gaitens brings an exceptional commitment to serving both military and civilian families.

She formerly worked with the Military Child Education Coalition as the Director of Central and Coastal Virginia. She also worked with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools as she supported the start up of Green Run Collegiate, a high-performing college preparatory charter school. Additionally, Dr. Gaitens was one of the founders of Leading Edge Academy Schools, a charter school network located in Arizona, where she also served as the middle school and elementary school principal. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership from the College of William and Mary, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University and an undergraduate degree in Human Resources from Oakland University.

Both of Dr. Gaitens parents served in the Army and she is married to a United States Marine, who continues to serve after 20 years active duty, as a NJROTC Instructor. She has three sons of whom she is extremely proud, one of whom is also a Marine.