James Ormond Wilson Normal School

Washington, District of Columbia, United States · Est. 1873

About

Official

Historic teacher-training institution in Washington, D.C., founded 1873 and merged into District of Columbia Teachers College in 1955.

  • Founded in 1873 as Washington Normal School; renamed 1913 after D.C.'s first superintendent of schools
  • Located at 1100 Harvard Street NW, Washington, D.C.
  • Main building designed by architect Snowden Ashford, completed 1912 in Jacobethan style
  • Provided teacher training until merger with Miner Normal School in 1955 to form District of Columbia Teachers College
  • Building now houses Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
  • Listed on National Register of Historic Places in 2015

History

James Ormond Wilson Normal School was founded in 1873 as the all-white Washington Normal School, serving as a teacher-training institution in the District of Columbia. It was renamed in 1913 to honor James Ormond Wilson, the city's first superintendent of schools. The school operated as a normal school providing teacher training for over eight decades until 1955, when it was merged with the all-black Miner Normal School to form the District of Columbia Teachers College.

Campus & Architecture

The school's main building, located at 1100 Harvard Street NW in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, was designed by city architect Snowden Ashford and completed in 1912. The structure is a distinctive Jacobethan building constructed of red brick with limestone trim elements. Today, the historic building serves as one of the campuses of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 31, 2015.

Founded
1873
Courses
1
Total intake
Not yet verified
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
1
Avg career outcomes
Not yet verified
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources