Embassy Adoption Program

A near 50-year partnership between Washington Performing Arts and D.C. Public Schools, the Embassy Adoption Program (EAP) annually connects thousands of fifth- and sixth-grade students in schools in all D.C. wards with more than 50 embassies and other diplomatic entities including consular offices, government offices, representative offices, and others. Diplomats visit the schools to give students a personalized understanding of their nation’s positions on various world issues, and diplomats and teachers design individualized curricula based on the culture of the country or region, available resources, D.C. Public School curriculum standards, and needs of the students. Washington Performing Arts Women’s Committee members and members of the community serve as classroom volunteers to support the teachers and diplomats throughout the year.

Program Elements

Workshops/Events

  • Throughout the school year, Embassy Adoption Program staff hold several workshops for diplomats, teachers, and volunteers to introduce the program and give tips for success. Teachers and diplomats have a chance to meet at the Diplomatic Tea, a celebratory kick-off and planning event. Diplomats get the opportunity to connect and share ideas at the Idea Exchange, an event held for EAP global partners in the spring.

Classroom Visits

  • Throughout the year, students learn from their teachers and from embassy representatives about their adopted countries through student-centered lessons and projects.

Arts Integration

  • With the support of Teaching Artists, students learn about their adopted countries’ traditional art forms through in-depth artist residencies. Students have the opportunity to learn their countries’ national anthem or song in partnership with several United States Military bands and choirs.

Field Trips

  • Students travel to cultural centers, museums, film screenings, and even restaurants to gain hands-on experience with their adopted culture.

Capstone Presentations

  • In the spring, students perform a presentation for diplomatic representatives demonstrating what they have learned about their adopted country. Past performances include skits, music, dance, and puppet shows.

United Nations Simulations

  • In the spring, select student delegates from every EAP classroom convene in a General Assembly situation at the Mini United Nations to debate and vote on resolutions relating to global challenges. Students represent their adopted country in committee rooms with other students from across the district.
Students at Model U.N.
Students from Barnard Elementary School at their Capstone Presentation at House of Sweden.

Our Sponsors

The Embassy Adoption Program is a partnership of D.C. Public Schools and Washington Performing Arts.

Support for the Embassy Adoption Program is provided by The Boeing Company; Pepco, An Exelon Company; Capitol Hill Community Foundation; and Thrasher Koffey Foundation, in loving memory and honor of Gloria Thrasher.

Education programs at Washington Performing Arts are made possible in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities; U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs Program; Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated; The Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation; The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Philip L. Graham Fund; Park Foundation, Inc.; Mr. Bruce Rosenblum and Ms. Lori Laitman; Prince Charitable Trusts; Mr. Peter Buscemi and Ms. Judith Miller; Sunny and Bill Alsup; Nancy Peery Marriott Foundation; Dr. Robert Misbin; Mary Jo Veverka; Gary and Silvia Yacoubian/SVS; Washington Performing Arts Women’s Committee; Dina Al Sabah and David Alden; The Nora Roberts Foundation; CHIME & Dorothy Marschak; Dimick Foundation; Graham Holdings Company; Mr.+ and Mrs.+ Herbert Milstein/The Greene-Milstein Family Foundation; Peace Love and Joy, in memory of Arman Simone; Venable Foundation; George Wasserman Family Foundation, Inc.; Dr. W. Stephen and Diane E. Piper; Ms. Sara E. Sanders/Sanders Foundation; Dr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Danks; and The Charles Delmar Foundation. Gifts as of November 27, 2023.

Questions?

For more information or questions about our educational programs

Contact

Washington Performing Arts Education
education@washingtonperformingarts.org