D.C. Councilwoman Mary Cheh is drafting a proposal to open a new middle school in Ward 3, where virtually every school is over capacity with students interested in the affluent area’s offerings. The Palisades school would double as a community recreation center and relieve crowding at Alice Deal Middle School; at 95 percent capacity, it’s the only school in Ward 3 less than 100 percent full. Horace Mann Elementary School, steps from American University’s campus, is projected to hit 140 percent capacity this fall.