Jake Steinfeld, chairman of the National Foundation for Governor’s Fitness Councils, announced on November 17th that Capital City Public Charter School has been selected as the lead recipient of a nationwide program to bring fitness centers to schools with exemplary physical activity and nutrition programs.

Capital City was selected in a competitive process to receive an award for one of three Live Positively fitness centers (valued at approximately $100,000) to be built in Washington, D.C.

This announcement came during a student program at Capital City about healthy lifestyles led by Steinfeld, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.

Mayor Vincent Gray lauded the program that will build a fitness center at Capital City. “This enhances the culture of wellness and inquiry that go hand-in-hand at Capital City Public Charter School,” he said. “Particularly in times of economic challenges, public/private partnerships are making possible the kinds of facilities and programming that will ensure that American students are healthy, well prepared and competitive.”

Head of School Karen Dresden noted that the timing of the new fitness center fits perfectly with the planning and timeline for the school's expansion. "Capital City Public Charter School embraces health, fitness, and wellness as part of its curriculum and culture," Dresden said. "We have a new campus under construction. This grant will allow us to have the resources to fully support our students in establishing healthy habits for life. We're so excited and grateful!"

Capital City’s educational approach is to teach the whole child by supporting students socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Capital City’s strong Physical Fitness program represents a commitment by the school to encourage active lifestyles and long-term physical health for the entire school community.

“We are delighted that our wellness program has been honored in such a meaningful way,” says Dresden. “Our students and teachers have made the most of limited facilities for over ten years. The fitness center at our new campus will allow us to give our students the tools they need to launch a lifetime of healthy living.”

The National Foundation’s lead partner is the American College of Sports Medicine. The Coca-Cola Company has provided five years of funding for the Foundation to build fitness centers in selected schools across the nation, beginning in 2012 with three each in Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Washington D.C.