Photo by Leigh LaHood.

Petworth’s Roosevelt High, which hasn’t seen the best of days in recent years, could see a major transformation soon, as DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced today a proposal to turn it into a international relations-focused school.

According to a release, the proposal includes a new school building, which will be finished for the 2015-2016 school year, as well has a refined curriculum that includes “dual-language programming, international travel for students, aligned career and technical education offerings, and enhanced partnerships with the community and institutions of higher education.” DCPS also plans to redesign the school and are working with the Roosevelt community for ideas on the redesign process.

Henderson says that the “modernization gives us a chance to take a look at what’s happening inside and outside.” She also says that, with an increasingly international student body, these plans for Roosevelt will give the school more of a “comprehensive international relations theme.”

The new international relations-centric program would take place when the new building is finished, for the 2015-2016 school year, and would include programs geared toward preparing students for college and professional life, with CTE programs in international business, finance, and international culinary arts. There’d also be a focus on early college prep, with AP and duel-credit courses students can take on college campuses.

“The community has shared with us their strong commitment to ensure Roosevelt stays on a path toward success,” Henderson said in a release. “We are excited by the possibilities of this new focus and theme and look forward to working with the Roosevelt community to think through details.”