Helpful Links
- DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is the District’s charter school authorizer. Public charter schools are independent from DC Public Schools (DCPS), the local public school system. DC PCSB provides oversight to, but does not manage, any public charter school. Students complete a My School DC application to request space at a participating public charter school for PK3 – Grade 12. You can reach DC PCSB at (202) 328-2660 with questions or email dcpublic@dcpcsb.org.
- To access available seats and waitlist data for charter schools, click HERE.
- DC Public Schools (DCPS) is the city’s local public school system. DCPS offers families a set and predictable K-12 pathway through its right-to-attend schools. Every K–12 student who lives in Washington, DC, has the right to attend at least one DCPS school — a school where he or she can directly enroll without applying through My School DC. Families can also choose to apply through My School DC to other DCPS options outside their right-to-attend schools. You can reach the Enrollment Team at (202) 478-5738 with questions, or email Enroll@k12.dc.gov.
- To access the DCPS Lottery and Enrollment Policy Handbook, click HERE.
- To access DCPS My School DC lottery results for SY23-24, click HERE.
- To access available seats and waitlist data for DCPS schools, click HERE.
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools. You can reach OSSE at (202) 727-6436 with questions, or email osse@dc.gov.
- For information regarding enrollment and residency, click HERE.
- To look for child care options, click HERE.
- For special education information, click HERE.
- For information regarding the education of youth experiencing homelessness, click HERE.
- For information regarding PARCC, click HERE.
- For information regarding the "DC Free Summer Meals Program" where kids and teens eat free throughout the summer, click HERE.
- Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education is responsible for assisting students and parents resolve problems as they engage with the District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter schools. The Office offers conflict resolution services to parents, families, and students and is committed to resolving school related complaints, disputes and problems quickly and efficiently in all areas that affect student learning. You can reach the Office of the Ombudsman at (202) 741-0886 with questions, or email ombudsman@dc.gov.
- DC Special Education Hub launched in 2022 to connect families with tools, information, and 1:1 support so families can make informed decisions to guide their child’s learning. You can reach the DC Special Education Hub at (202) 671-2890 with questions, or email specialeducation@dc.gov.
- Office of the Student Advocate empowers students, parents, families, and community members to achieve equal access to public education through advocacy, outreach, and information assistance to navigate the public education system in the District of Columbia. You can reach the Office of the Student Advocate at (202) 741- 4692 with questions, or email student.advocate@dc.gov.
- The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) administers the Kids Ride Free program, which offers reduced fares for District students who use Metrobus, Metrorail or the DC Circulator to travel to and from school. This program serves students attending DC public, charter and private schools, as well as students participating in educational programs in the District. Learn more HERE.
- The District of Columbia Public Library provides environments that invite reading, learning and community discussion and equips people to learn all their lives, to embrace diversity and to build a thriving city. Your local library is an excellent resource for applying to the school lottery through My School DC. Each branch has available copies of the My School DC school directory and residents have access to free public computers they can use to create and submit their My School DC application.
- Locate your local library HERE.
- Is your child birth-5 years old? If so, register him or her for Books from Birth today here. It’s free! The Library launched Books from Birth, a program that mails all enrolled kids in D.C. a free book each month from birth until they turn five to make reading with your child fun and easy.
- Learn24 is a network of afterschool and summer opportunities supported to ensure children and youth in the District have access to quality educational and enrichment activities beyond the school day. Learn more HERE or call (202) 727-3636.
