About Murch

 School Mission

We, at Ben W. Murch Elementary School, promote excellence in education. Collectively, teachers, staff, parents, and community members are committed to all children achieving at high levels.

We foster the development of lifelong learners who are confident, competent and contributing citizens of our global world.

+ School Motto:  Reach for the Best

+ School Colors:  Blue and gold

+ School Mascot:  The Murch Mustang (and the school’s cupola is also a symbol in our community, often produced on cards and letterhead)

+ Location:  We are located in Northwest D.C. at 36th Street, between Davenport and Ellicott streets.  Accessible by Metrobus and Metro "Red" line, Murch is located between Connecticut and Wisconsin Avenues, near Fort Reno Park, the highest point of land in the District.

+ History:  Murch Elementary School has a long history of educational excellence and community support. In the 1920s, neighborhood parents formed the District’s first Home and School Association to press for construction of a new school. After four temporary buildings were erected on the Murch site, the HSA pushed for a permanent, more satisfactory solution. The result was the building we know today, dedicated on May 2, 1930, and named after Ben W. Murch, a prominent and well-loved local educator who came to Washington from Maine in 1887 and served as a principal and administrator for D.C. Public Schools from 1887 to 1927. Mr. Murch's favorite quotation was, "Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you." This philosophy has been shared and emphasized with each generation of Murch students. 

The full history of the school was well documented by Ann Kessler, a Murch parent and historian in a wonderful booklet entitled, "A History of Ben W. Murch Elementary School 1930 – 1990," which is available in PDF format here.

Contact us by email