Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shaw Junior High School

— Class Action at the MVT Photo Walk —

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, June 20, 2026

1. Shaw Junior High School Marker

Inscription. Shaw Junior High School traces its roots to M Street Junior High School, which opened in 1919 as the first for Black students. It moved in 1928 to 7th St and Rhode Island Ave. In 1977, Shaw's first purpose-built building opened at 9th St and Rhode Island Ave, the centerpiece of a community-led urban renewal project. The surrounding neighborhood became known as Shaw, after the school.

Erected 2026 by DC History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 38° 54.145′ N, 77° 1.036′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. It is on K Street Northwest east of 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 438 K St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ballou High School (a few steps from this marker); Adams Elementary School (a few steps from this marker); Wilson High School (a few steps from this marker); Banneker Junior High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Armstrong Technical High School

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Prather's Alley: A Story of Continuity (within shouting distance of this marker); Dunbar High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Birney School May Day (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 20, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.