You spend your days navigating the intersection of policy, governance, and public service. Whether you work on the Hill, at a federal agency, in a think tank, or at one of the advocacy organizations that shape national discourse, your career demands critical thinking, analytical rigor, and the ability to engage with complexity. You want the same qualities in your child's education — but most schools don't deliver them.
Traditional independent schools teach government from a textbook. Public selective schools offer civic engagement but require a lottery. And STEM-intensive schools in the Virginia suburbs are a long drive from your downtown office.
Templeton Academy is built for government families. Located at Gallery Place/Chinatown — minutes from the Capitol, federal agencies, and the downtown policy corridor — Templeton integrates civics and government into the curriculum through weekly Fieldwork, project-based policy analysis, and a location that places your child at the center of the nation's most important civic resources.
Civics and Government Curriculum Integration
At Templeton, government isn't a single course in the junior year. It's woven throughout the academic experience from grades 6 through 12, leveraging DC's unparalleled resources through the Fieldwork program:
- Capitol Hill observations — studying the legislative process through firsthand experience, not just textbook descriptions
- Federal agency engagement — understanding how policy moves from legislation to implementation
- Smithsonian research — students have published research in collaboration with Smithsonian researchers, developing academic skills alongside civic understanding
- Embassy and international organization visits — exploring diplomacy and global policy perspectives
- Think tank and advocacy exposure — examining how research, persuasion, and civic action intersect
For government families, this means your child's education mirrors the work you do — collaborative, research-driven, and connected to real-world outcomes. The dinner-table conversations about policy, governance, and public service come alive in the classroom.
Capitol Hill Location Advantage
Most government professionals work in or near the downtown DC corridor. Templeton's Gallery Place/Chinatown location integrates school drop-off into your existing commute rather than requiring a separate trip:
- From the Capitol complex: 10 minutes by Metro or a short walk
- From federal agencies along the Mall: Walking distance or one Metro stop
- From K Street / downtown offices: 5–10 minutes by Metro
- From Virginia (Pentagon, Crystal City, Rosslyn): 10–15 minutes by Yellow/Blue/Orange Line
- From Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Spring): ~20 minutes by Red Line
The campus is accessible via all six Metro lines (Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Silver, Orange) — the most connected station network in the system. For government families whose schedules shift unpredictably, this central location provides the flexibility that suburban campuses can't.
Flexible Scheduling for Demanding Careers
Government careers don't follow predictable 9-to-5 schedules. Congressional votes run late. Agency deadlines shift. Travel schedules change without notice. Templeton's structure accommodates the realities of government family life:
- Extended learning blocks simplify the morning routine; fewer transition periods mean a more manageable drop-off window
- Student Metro independence: many Templeton students commute by Metro on their own, reducing the daily logistics burden on parents with demanding schedules
- Central Gallery Place location provides pickup flexibility, with restaurants, shops, and public spaces nearby when schedules run long
- A responsive administrative team experienced in working with government and congressional families whose timelines are unpredictable
What Government Families Value at Templeton
Government professionals bring a particular lens to school selection. You value evidence-based approaches, intellectual rigor, and institutions that practice what they preach. You've seen enough mission statements that don't match reality — you want a school that actually delivers on its promises. Here's what Templeton delivers:
- Project-based learning that develops the analytical and communication skills your career demands: research, collaboration, and persuasive presentation are embedded in every academic block
- Average class size of 10 students means genuine individualization, not lip service to personalized learning
- Core Advisory: daily mentorship that develops self-awareness, ethical reasoning, and personal purpose
- A 95% college acceptance rate with one-on-one counseling beginning in ninth grade
- An award-winning STEM program with nationally recognized student achievements
- No lottery. Templeton's holistic admissions process is open to all families — no uncertainty, no backup plans
- Tuition of $35,000/year with need-based financial aid — accessible for government salary levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Do many government families attend Templeton?
Government, policy, and public service professionals represent a significant portion of Templeton's parent community. The school's Gallery Place location, civic curriculum focus, and Metro accessibility make it a natural fit for families across the government sector — from congressional staff and federal agency professionals to think tank researchers and NGO leaders. The school's culture reflects the values these families bring: intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, and a commitment to developing the next generation of thoughtful, engaged citizens.
Does Templeton offer evening information sessions for busy professionals?
Yes. We understand that government schedules make daytime visits difficult. Contact our admissions team to discuss evening session availability and alternative scheduling options.
How does Templeton handle government shutdowns, security events, or schedule disruptions?
Templeton's central location and Metro accessibility mean families have multiple routes to campus. The school communicates proactively with families about any schedule adjustments, and our experience serving government families means we understand the unpredictability that comes with public service careers.
Schedule a Tour That Fits Your Schedule
We invite government families to schedule a campus visit during work hours, over lunch, or at an evening session. Gallery Place is minutes from most government offices — see Templeton's civic education approach firsthand without disrupting your workday.
Contact us to find a time that works.
Now enrolling grades 6–12.