Understanding the System
Generally, when is the school year?
Though the exact dates depend on the school, the school year in Washington, DC is typically from the end of August to mid-June. Schools in DC are required to have at least 180 instructional days, which are at least six hours including a lunch, recess, and breaks between classes.
What age does a student have to be to enroll in school?
In Washington, DC, children who are 5 on or before September 30 of the current school year must be enrolled and attending school. Students are legally required to attend school until they are 18 years old.
Children in DC can apply for school as early as 3 years old, to attend preschool (PK3). Preschool (PK3) is not a legal requirement and is not guaranteed (even in your in-boundary school). Applicants must be 3 years old by September 30 of the current school year to be eligible.
Applicants for pre-kindergarten (PK4) must be 4 years old by September 30 of the current school year to be eligible. Pre-kindergarten (PK4) is not a legal requirement and is not guaranteed (even in your in-boundary school).
To learn more about age cutoffs and current cutoff dates, visit My School DC.
What are the different grade bands?
Different schools and local education agencies (LEAs) might have different definitions. However, the education system is typically divided into four different grade bands:
- Early Childhood (Ages 3-4): Preschool (PK3) or Prekindergarten (PK4)
- Elementary School (Ages 5-10): Kindergarten – 5th grade
- Middle School (Ages 11-13): 6th grade – 8th grade
- High School (Ages 14-18): 9th grade – 12th grade
What is the difference between a DC Public School (DCPS) and a DC Public Charter School?
DC families have two main options for free public education: DC Public Schools and a variety of Public Charter Schools.
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the traditional system of neighborhood schools, and some selective school options, in DC. DCPS is a government agency that is under direct control of the Mayor and the Chancellor of DCPS (who is appointed by the mayor). All students in DC have the right to attend their neighborhood school, otherwise referred to as your in-boundary school. This is the only school families are guaranteed a seat at during any point of the year.
Public Charter Schools are independent public schools open to all DC residents. Just like traditional public schools (DCPS), they are publicly funded, tuition-free, and nonsectarian. The DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB), which is an independent DC government agency subject to some mayoral and DC Council oversight, provide oversight for the charter schools. However, their individual charter local education agencies/individual public charter networks (i.e. KIPP, Center City, DC Prep, etc.) are in charge over the schools’ expenditures, administration, personnel, and instructional methods.
The Language Acquisition Department
The Language Acquisition Division Welcome Center is dedicated to serving the needs of English Learners by recommending programs that offer targeted support. Students who communicate in a language other than English or who live in a home where a language other than English is spoken may qualify for English-as-a-Second Language services at their school. To determine eligibility, students must take an English proficiency assessment.
Services Offered:
- Provide orientation and information to linguistically and culturally diverse families new to District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)
- Screen students to determine eligibility for English support services & placement
- Recommend school and grade placement
- Evaluate foreign transcripts for the purpose of awarding high school credits
- Provide referrals to community-based resources.
Home Language Survey
For all students who have enrolled in a DC school for the first time, schools must begin with administering the OSSE Home Language Survey, a questionnaire completed by parents of all students at the time of enrollment. The OSSE Home Language Survey does not need to be administered to a student who is re-enrolling in a DC school.
If the OSSE Home Language Survey indicates that a language other than English is spoken in the home to or by the student, the student must be screened for possible identification as an EL using the appropriate screener within 30 school days of the student’s first official school day (also known as stage 5 enrollment). A student shall not be identified as an EL student only based on OSSE Home Language Survey indicating a language other than English is spoken in the home or routinely used in other settings. The list of appropriate screeners can be found in the links below.
DCPS:
Complete the DCPS enrollment packet- Provide proof of DC residency
- Submit your completed enrollment packet to your DCPS school.
Public Charter Schools:
Note: All DC public charter schools use the MySchool DC application process
- Create a family account
- Provide information about your child
- Choose your school(s)
- Once you have been offered a seat, your school will provide next steps