Travel is a key pillar of NEXTDC. We took 35 students and educators to New York City to broaden their “Hospitality Horizons”. The two-day experience brought Career & Technical Education Academy of Hospitality & Tourism students from Ballou, Columbia Heights, Jackson-Reed and Roosevelt high schools together for hands-on industry exposure in a new city. 

Students met with hotel and attraction professionals, explored the range of available careers and identified similarities and differences between tourism in DC and NYC. The experience even included a Broadway musical!

Thank you to our field trip partners:

Thank you to the DC Public Schools for funding this valuable work-based learning experience. 

Our annual educator retreat brought together high school Academy directors for a day of collaboration, professional development and program planning. Together, we identified meaningful ways for students to gain industry exposure and use skills they are learning in the classroom. 

Educators heard state-of-the-industry insights from Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO of Destination DC and Chelsea Coffin, Deputy Director of DC Policy Center. They also toured the O Museum in The Mansion and ARTECHOUSE DC. 

Interested in hosting a field trip for students at your business? Contact us at info@thenextdc.org.    

Thank you to Meade Atkeson, Sarah Betman and the team at The Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle for hosting. 

NEXTDC has been awarded a Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to support our work-based learning programs in 2027.  

NEXTDC staff led two breakout sessions during Jackson-Reed High School’s Student Leadership Retreat at the University of the District of Columbia Community College in September. The sessions, designed for 35 juniors and seniors, focused on professional email communication, leadership and influence. 

Support NEXTDC programs this school year by donating a prize to the Annual Holiday Raffle & Auction.