OUR STORY
WHO WE ARE
Digital Pioneers Academy is a tuition-free public charter middle and high school, open to all students in grades 6 through 12 . We empower students to develop marketable computer science skills and habits of innovation, so that they can experience a future of choice.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to develop the next generation of innovators. We prepare scholars to meet or exceed the highest academic standards, while cultivating the strength of character necessary to graduate from four-year colleges and thrive in 21st-century careers.
HISTORY
Digital Pioneers Academy was founded in 2018 by visionary educator Mashea Ashton. After nearly 20 years serving in various educational leadership roles across the country, Mashea moved back to DC to be closer to family. Building a school like DPA is her life’s passion and dream.
One day, Mashea read an article about how innovation is changing the world economy through fields like AI, robotics, and biotechnology. She learned that, in DC alone, there are more than 10,000 vacancies in high-tech jobs that pay an average salary of $100,000 per year. However, Black students and others from historically marginalized backgrounds are still underrepresented in these jobs.
Mashea decided to open a school to prepare students for careers that can break the cycle of poverty and build generational wealth. Today, DPA has two campuses enrolling more than 600 middle and high school students.
“Digital Pioneers Academy will prepare your child to harness the power of technology, not only to drive their own future success, but also to transform our world for the better.”
– Mashea Ashton
DPA was recognized as a 2022 DC Bold Performance School.
95%
Based on a 2023 survey, 95% of families indicated that they would recommend DPA to a friend.
