| By Christina Charlery and Joseph Hornig |

Anacostia is a historic neighborhood in Southeast Washington, D.C., and is located east of the Anacostia River, which the area is named after. According to the 2000 Census, 92 percent of the neighborhood’s residents are African American.

Those outside Southeast D.C. often see a dire public image from local-news headlines:

Body found floating in Anacostia River.

Students arrested after cafeteria brawl.

High school fight moves to city streets.

SE apartment building locked down after fatal shooting.

To local media and many outsiders, the name Anacostia has become synonymous with negativity, particularly crime.

With data showing that Anacostia murder rates are 625 percent higher than the national average and the risk of robbery 229 percent higher than average, according to The Washington Post, stereotypes of Anacostia aren’t baseless.

But they are one-dimensional, say students, administrators and teachers at Anacostia High School, now known as The Academies at Anacostia. (more…)