Saved Schools

H.D. Cooke Elementary

H.D. Cooke Elementary, nominated by Transcend, is an elementary school in Washington, District of Columbia, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily urban area.

Location Washington, District of Columbia

Governance Public District School

Grades Pre-Kindergarten, Elementary

Students 394

Locale Urban

Principal Ryan Lam

Demographics

Percentage of students*

53%

English Learners

61%

Free/Reduced Lunch

22%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 33%

American Indian/Alaska Native

Asian 3%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino 59%

White 4%

2+ Races

Why H.D. Cooke Elementary was nominated

H.D. Cooke Elementary School utilized the Whole Child Model to provide holistic support to learners that is trauma informed and multi-tiered. , HD Cooke Elementary School implements an innovative model, the Whole Child Model, which integrates multiple tiers of support throughout the school day to build a safe and supportive school climate as well as the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills young children need to regulate their emotions, manage stress, and handle conflicts productively.

Student experience design

We inspire hearts by striving to be a school where every single student feels known, loved, and connected. To meet the needs of students Social Emotional Development we have adopted the Whole Child Model (wholechildmodel.org) approach which focuses on the strong relationship between academic success and social emotional learning. At H.D. Cooke we cultivate minds by ensuring that every single student receives highly engaging and appropriately challenging lessons every day to ensure students are prepared for their academic and professional futures. We strive to deliver rigorous and joyful instruction to all students each day. At H.D. Cooke, our work is grounded in five core values that guide every classroom and every interaction. We believe children thrive when they are known, loved, challenged, supported, and celebrated. Courage – Students take risks, try new strategies, and grow with confidence. Innovation – Learning is creative, hands-on, and driven by curiosity. Resilience – We teach students to persevere, problem-solve, and stay motivated. Connection – Strong relationships with teachers and peers create a true sense of belonging. Joy – Every day includes laughter, celebration, and the love of learning. At H.D. Cooke, your child will be seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Family And Community Support Services

5+ years

Culturally Responsive Practices

3-4 years

Restorative Practices

3-4 years

SEL Integration School-wide

5+ years

Trauma-informed Practices

3-4 years

All Practices

Anti-racist Practices

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Mental Health Services

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Project-based Learning

Student-led Conferences

Student-led Goal Setting

key reasons for innovating

Improve academic achievement

Improve school culture

Increase teacher agency

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.