Episcopal Center for Children (ECC) Signs Agreements with Maret School to Sell Land and Buildings
ECC After School Enrichment Program, Goods for Good In Place Until at Least June 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC — The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC) and Maret School have signed agreements for Maret to purchase the playing fields and building it is currently leasing, as well as the remaining three buildings at the ECC.

“The Episcopal Center for Children’s Board of Directors recently reached a decision that we will not be reopening our therapeutic school for children with severe emotional challenges as planned,” said Stephanie Nash, LCSW, President & CEO of ECC.

“We are deeply saddened by this situation, as it is not the position we expected to be in. We are exploring the idea of holding a goodbye reception for the many students, caregivers, staff and supporters who have been a part of our school community for so many years,” said Nash.

“The sale of our property will provide the financial resources to enable us to continue to serve our mission to impact children with special needs by transforming ECC into a grantmaking organization that can assist hundreds of families,” said Nash.

Maret will soon complete the construction of the athletic fields and the renovation of the ECC’s media center, consistent with the 2021 lease agreement between the parties and the order of approval issued by the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) in April 2022. Maret will close on the purchase of the fields and media center in early 2025.

Maret and the ECC have also executed an agreement for the purchase of the rest of the ECC property, which provides a period of due diligence for Maret to study the remaining three buildings. Maret has additional time to explore opportunities for the buildings’ future use, as well as partnerships with organizations aligned with the school’s mission.

Nash said that ECC will maintain its After School Enrichment Program from now until at least the close of the 2025-26 school year, and Goods for Good will be able to remain on site during this time.

“Maret appreciates the history and beauty of the ECC and what it means to the neighborhood,” says Dennis Bisgaard, Head of School of Maret. He noted that for any proposed use of the buildings Maret would need to undertake a public review process and seek zoning approval, which would include continued engagement with the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC 3/4G) and members of the surrounding community.
 

About the Episcopal Center for Children
The Episcopal Center for Children (ECC) is a nondenominational, nonprofit organization that has
been dedicated to serving the needs of children and their families for the past 125 years. For
more information, go to https://eccofdc.org/.

About Maret School
Maret School is an independent K-12 day school located at 3000 Cathedral Avenue, NW. The school was founded in the District of Columbia in 1911. Throughout its history, Maret has fostered its students’ academic, artistic, and athletic talents and promoted an equitable and inclusive learning environment. Maret values its location in the nation’s capital and continues to build meaningful connections and partnerships with the city and other youth-based organizations.

Media Contact Information
For ECC: Ami Neiberger, ECC, ami@mapleavenuepr.com
For Maret: Carolyn Law, Director of Communications, Maret, claw@maret.org