Friendship Public Charter School Opens New Southeast Campus

Opening Ceremony Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 40th Anniversary
of his Assassination

WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued
by Friendship Public Charter School:

Who: Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia; Donald Hense,
Chairman of Friendship Board of Trustees; the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III,
Pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York; and Terry Golden,
Chairman of the Federal City Council.

What: Unveiling of Friendship Public Charter School's Southeast Elementary
Campus after two years and $15 million of renovations. This event commemorates
the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 40th anniversary of his
assassination.

When: April 4, 2008, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Where: Friendship Southeast Elementary Academy, 645 Milwaukee Place, SE,
Washington D.C. 20032. The school is appropriately located on the corner of
Martin Luther King Avenue, SE.

Why: Ninety-four percent of Southeast students reside in Ward 8, and of these
students, 80 percent are eligible for low-income subsidies. The Southeast
Elementary Campus will provide access to quality education that raises
academic achievement and creates a safe environment where children can gain
support and the tools needed to be successful in their lives.

Both Hense and Butts were supporters of Dr. King's movement and were ushers at
his funeral 40 years ago. Dr. King's "dream" is still relevant for all
Americans. The resurrection of this school has a linear connection to Dr.
King's principles and provides an opportunity for students in the community to
receive a quality education.

Friendship Public Charter School is the District of Columbia's largest
community of public charter schools, serving more than 4,000 students from
pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Friendship succeeds in preparing children
as scholars, workers and citizens on five school campuses.

For more information, visit http://www.friendshipschools.org.

SOURCE Friendship Public Charter School

Seleana Bines of MAYA, +1-202-337-0566 x 120, Seleana@mayadc.com, for
Friendship Public Charter School