Photo by Digital Explorer on Flickr.

Troubled charter may stay open: After initially seeking to close Options, a school for at-risk students where officials have been charged with self-dealing, the Public Charter School Board now says it will ask DCPS to run the school’s academic programs next year. (Post)

DC students eating more free breakfasts: The number of students getting free breakfast has increased by 19% nationwide since 2009, but DC leads the way, with a 72% increase. (Post)

Over 17,000 students use new school lottery: The number was higher than expected, with 3,500 students applying for DCPS and charter high school slots and the rest for pre-K through 8th grade. (WAMU)

At-large DC Council candidate proposes mentor program: Pedro Rubio wants a $5 million plan that would rely largely on volunteers. (Current)

Catholic school in Tenley to close: St. Ann’s Academy, which has been a fixture for decades, is the victim of declining enrollment and a lack of funds. (Post)

DCPS middle school launches TV-radio program: Students at Eliot-Hine interviewed Chancellor Kaya Henderson Friday. (Post)

Catania responds to Graham: After last week’s op-ed by former Post publisher Donald Graham criticizing some DC Councilmembers for skepticism about school progress, Councilmember David Catania argues they’re just fulfilling their oversight responsibilities. (Post)

Technique to develop social-emotional skills helps academics: Responsive Classroom, a teaching approach used in a number of DCPS classrooms, boosts performance on math and reading tests, according to a study. (Post)

Principals share strategies for success: Leaders of School Without Walls and Maya Angelou PCS’s middle school described programs that help their students achieve. (Current)

Charter school for Northern Virginia?: The Loudoun County School Board granted conditional approval to convert the historic Middleburg Elementary School into the region’s first charter. (Post)

New Alexandria superintendent outlines plans: Alvin Crawley says he wants all of the city’s schools to be high performers and to teach character. (Post)

Fairfax teacher explains “work to the rule” idea: A McLean High School teacher says his colleagues are considering cutting back on extra duties because it’s important that they be fairly compensated. (Post)

Montgomery Blair ranks first in the nation for Intel finalists: The Silver Spring high school produced 3 this year, bringing its total since 1999 to 31. (Post)

Montgomery teachers approve new contract: Pay would go up but be offset by increased health insurance premiums, and high-performing educators would get incentives to work in high-poverty schools. (Post)

Changes to the SAT: The College Board plans to make the essay optional and connect test questions to the skills and evidence-based thinking that students should be learning in high school. (NY Times)