International Baccalaureate to Base Global Centre in D.C.

International Baccalaureate (IB), in order to build on its goal of contributing to a better world through education, announces its Global Centre for the Americas will become an anchor tenant at City Ridge, the former Fannie Mae Headquarters located at 3900 Wisconsin Ave. in Upper Northwest Washington, D.C.

The IB, a nonprofit, envisions the new location for nearly 130 employees as a dynamic and productive home for its comprehensive support services to schools. The IB also sees the mixed-use development as an ideal place for convenings that will build further connections to both the education and international communities in the U.S. capital. Two years ago, the Historic Preservation Review Board unanimously named the building a historic site.

The IB, which just marked its 50th anniversary, has a long history in the District of Columbia. Some of the first IB programmes were in schools located in the District and this legacy continues with IB programmes in DC Public Schools and other institutions. There are over 1,800 IB World schools in the U.S. that offer one or more of four IB programmes. DC’s unique blend of both international and national establishments was seen as an ideal environment.

“This new setting will enhance IB’s vast experience in international education and support the work we carry out in thousands of schools all over the world. We are looking forward to working with the area community and using the space to provide a platform for students and teachers who are making amazing change to create a better world through education,” says Siva Kumari, Director General of the IB.

“I applaud the Roadside team for its continued work to transform the former Fannie Mae

location into an attractive, multi-use destination that includes jobs, retail amenities, and

housing. I am delighted to welcome a strong partner like International Baccalaureate to our community and look forward to working together to expand opportunity for Washingtonians across DC,” says Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The IB offers educational programs for students between the ages of 3 to 19. IB programmes are taught in over 6,000 programmes in 157 countries around the world.

The current Global Centre is located in Bethesda, Md. Roadside Development and NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC are joint venture partners at City Ridge. The site will also feature a food market, health club, restaurants, shops and residential housing.