The National Park Service, President’s Park, offers several school programs at the White House Visitor Center to assist students in strengthening skills in critical thinking, analyzing, observing, researching and writing while learning about presidents, the White House and President's Park.

All programs are free of charge and are approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Reservations are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis. Each program can accommodate a maximum of 50 students, including teachers and chaperones. Free bus transportation may be provided within the Beltway.

Please note that these programs DO NOT include a tour of the White House.

To inquire about availability, please e-mail your request or contact an education team member at 202-208-1631.

Education Programs

• Ranger Reading - Grades PreK-2
  
• President's Neighborhood - Grades 3-6
  
• So YOU Want To Be President? - Grades 3-8
  
• Are You Smarter Than A Park Ranger? - Grades 4-8
  
• A Traveling Trunk Or Not - Grades 4-8
  
• Bridging The Watershed - Grades 6-12
  

Ranger Reading
Grades PreK-2

A National Park Service Ranger reads age-appropriate literature to students during the Ranger Reading program. Titles include:

• Woodrow for President
• If I Were President
• So You Want to Be President
• The Giving Tree
• Call Me Madame President
• The White House Easter Egg Roll
• White House Pets

The program includes hands-on activities and a tour of the White House Visitor Center exhibits or President's Park. This experience promotes comprehension and fosters a respect for public officials and the government among youth.

President’s Neighborhood 
Grades 3-6

President’s Neighborhood exposes students to the rich local and national history that is represented in the neighborhood surrounding the White House. Students will learn about cultural and historical resources by participating in an interactive trivia game and/or treasure hunt, and a powerpoint presentation. Rangers will encourage students to develop connections between the White House and nearby historical treasures. Tours of President’s Park are offered, weather permitting.

So YOU Want To Be President?
Grades 3-8

Does a president have a job description? What are the requirements for this monumental job? Join our interactive "interview" and discover if you have what it takes to fulfill the responsibilities of a job that's been around for more than 200 years!

Are You Smarter Than A Park Ranger?
Grades 4-8

Now is the time for all students to come to the aid of their country. A Park Ranger will discuss the role of the National Park Service in preserving our historical treasures including the White House, home of every president except George Washington! Match wits in an interactive encounter to test your knowledge. Are you game?

A Traveling Trunk Or Not 
Grades 4-8

Slavery and the Underground Railroad: with a focus on the Nation’s Capital and Surrounding Areas is for use in the classroom by the educator, or in the White House Visitor Center by a park ranger. 

This curriculum based program has numerous lesson plans, period clothing, primary documents, reproductions and a musical instrument. The program incorporates social studies/history, language arts, mathematics, music and art.

Themes include:

• Where it Began: Africa and the Middle Passage
• Daily Life of enslaved African-Americans
• African Americans in the White House and the Nation’s Capital
  1800-1865
• Seeking Freedom

Information regarding the use of the trunk in your school at no charge can be obtained by calling 202-208-1631.

Bridging the Watershed
Grades 6-12

This program introduces students and teachers to the Chesapeake Bay watershed (the land the drains water into a particular stream, river or lake) Also discussed is the environmental impact of trash and humans in a national park as well as on the watershed and the effects of non-native, invasive species on the balance of the park's ecosystem. The activities in this program were designed by teachers who use the constructivist approach and incorporate the five E's ---engagement, explorations, explanation, elaboration and evaluation.