What is District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)?
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the local public school system of Washington, DC. All DCPS schools are free to DC residents. Every K-12 student who lives in Washington, DC, has at least one right-to-attend DCPS school per grade band — a school where they can enroll at any time. A right-to-attend school can be identified as a student’s in-boundary school or feeder pattern school. Students do not need to apply to their right-to-attend school(s) for grades K–12. Students can complete a My School DC application to request space at other DCPS schools. Families of all new PK3 and PK4 students must complete a My School DC application and enter the lottery even if they want to attend their DCPS in-boundary school. Find your in-boundary school using the School Finder.
What is a public charter school?
DC public charter schools are public, tuition-free, open to all students, and they do not have selective entrance requirements or geographic attendance zones. They offer District families a wide variety of educational choices. Public charter schools are independent from DCPS (the traditional public school system). The DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) provides oversight for public charter schools, but does not manage any schools. Students complete a My School DC application if they wish to attend a participating public charter school.
Do schools in Maryland and Virginia participate in the My School DC application and common lottery?
No. Only public schools in Washington, DC are part of My School DC.
Who is in charge of My School DC?
My School DC staff are employees of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). My School DC is governed by a board called the Common Lottery Board with voting representation from both DCPS and participating public charter schools. The Deputy Mayor for Education chairs the board. A Parent Advisory Council and committees of participating LEAs provide input to My School DC and the Common Lottery Board to inform the design of the process and parent outreach efforts.
How can I contact My School DC?
You can reach us by calling the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also send us an email at [email protected].