About Shepherd
The Principal
Dr. Calvin Hooks
Dr. Calvin Hooks began his career as a 4th-grade teacher in Washington, DC and served in multiple instructional and leadership roles before joining DCPS in 2014. Prior to joining the Shepherd family as Interim Principal in 2026, Dr. Hooks served as principal of Hyde-Addison Elementary School since 2018. Under his leadership, Hyde-Addison received a Standing Ovation award for strong family engagement in 2022, and in 2023, he was personally awarded the Standing Ovation for “School Leader Excellence.” In 2024, Dr. Hooks was recognized nationally as the K–12 Dive Principal of the Year and selected for Who’s Who in America in 2025.
As a principal committed to ongoing learning and growth, Dr. Hooks participates in numerous fellowships and district-level initiatives focused on professional development, school culture, and leadership. Dr. Hooks is committed to ensuring all students feel valued, nurtured, and prepared to thrive as global citizens, and believes that a shared vision and mission are foundational to school communities.
Dr. Hooks holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Howard University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, and a Doctorate in Administrative Leadership for Teaching and Learning from Walden University.
School History
Alexander R. Shepherd Elementary School is named for the territorial governor of the District of Columbia in the early 1870’s and it is the product of an active community committed to education. In 1917, the civic association of Shepherd Park petitioned the District government to build an elementary school to educate the neighborhood children as well as attract more families to the area. After more than a decade of requests, the school board responded to petitions from parents of 143 children and agreed to provide a school.
The school in 1928 consisted of two one-room portables parked near Kalmia Road on the farmland that the association had recommended for a building site. It took another four years, but finally the red-bricked Alexander R. Shepherd Elementary School opened in January 1932. The descendants of Governor Shepherd helped dedicate the school and unveiled a photographic portrait of its namesake.
Shepherd continues to be one of the most highly regarded elementary schools in the District system, due to the commitment of its parents, teachers, and administrators.
Some of the traditions at Shepherd include Back-to-School Night in September, Jazz Night and Black History Month Celebrations in February, the Science Fair, the Spelling Bee, the Geography Bee, Field Day in June, and the annual Halloween parade.
Vision
Our vision is to develop a community of inquisitive and internationally-minded lifelong learners. Our staff works collaboratively to create a loving environment that prepares students to succeed in the 21st century through providing joyful and academically rigorous learning experiences.
Mission
Our mission is to develop inquisitive and internationally-minded lifelong learners who feel loved, challenged, and prepared to think globally and act compassionately to create a more peaceful world.
Faculty and Staff
Shepherd Quick Facts
Grades Served
PreK3 through 5th grade
Official Feeder Schools
Languages Offered
Before/Aftercare Program
Enrollment
396
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Shepherd is one of only three IB elementary schools within DCPS
DC Public School (DCPS)
Get Acquainted with Shepherd “Slang”