High school courses approved by the College Board for Advanced Placement (AP) designation. Students that take the AP exam and pass can earn college credit.

Students study visual and/or performing arts as part of the school’s mission and core academic curriculum, beyond dedicated arts periods.

Students receive instruction from a mix of traditional teaching and online learning platforms as part of the school's core academic curriculum.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs complete a three or four-year course sequence (in addition to their core high school classes) that includes preparation for industry-recognized certification exams and participation in work-based learning experiences.

Learn more about CTE programs here.

The school offers its students the opportunity to maintain their high school status while enrolling part-time or full-time at participating colleges or universities. In addition to being able to take challenging college courses that are not offered at their home high school, students earn college credit that can be transferred to many postsecondary institutions.

Learn more about OSSE’s Dual College Enrollment here.

Students learn a second language beyond dedicated language periods, with the second language often serving as the medium of instruction in core academic subjects.

Excluding before care and after care, students attend school and receive instruction for longer than 8 hours per day on a regular basis.

The school's academic year exceeds the typical 180 school days, with students attending for at least 190 days.

The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, or Diploma Program(s), or is an active candidate for such authorization.

The school has a sports team that competes with other schools.

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is a federal program sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces. The purpose of JROTC is to instill the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. JROTC also informs young Americans about the opportunities available in the military.

The school uses a Montessori instructional approach to learning. Students are grouped into mixed-age classrooms with substantial choice and independence in their learning activities.

Learning is done through a virtual online school with the student remaining at home for most academic hours.

An open house is a time when you can visit a school, meet school staff and learn more about the school's offerings. Each school sets the dates and times of its open house(s). You can see open house dates here or on individual school profile pages. Download these sample questions written by parents for parents and use them at open houses. For more information about open houses, please contact the schools directly.

The District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE) The District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE) is the District of Columbia’s (DC’s) comprehensive suite of standardized assessments administered in grades 3 through high school in English language arts / literacy, mathematics and science. DC CAPE assessments are computer-based assessments designed to measure students' progress and proficiency towards relative to DC’s educational standards, providing information about the knowledge and skills that matter most for DC students. what they need to learn by graduation to be ready for college and career. Learn more about DC CAPE here.  

The single gender schools in DC will accept students who are non-binary, gender nonconforming, or who prefer not to say. 

The school integrates science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) so that each of these content areas is taught within other content areas and equally alongside literacy and composition. STEM is a part of the school's mission and core academic curriculum.

Some schools offer before and/or after care to enrolled families in addition to their regularly scheduled school hours. The cost, programming, and eligibility requirements of before and after care vary by school.

Some schools give priority in the lottery to eligible students. Applicants with a preference at a particular school are offered a space at that school before applicants who don’t have a preference, and receive a higher waitlist placement than applicants without a preference. Lottery preferences are school-specific; not every school offers the same preferences to students. Visit a school's profile to learn what preferences they offer. Learn more about lottery preferences here.

Selective programs admit students based on specific admissions requirements and selection criteria. Anyone can apply to these programs, but only students who meet the program’s requirements and are selected through the school’s application process will be eligible to attend. DC Public Schools (DCPS) has eight selective high schools and programs. These programs require additional information to be provided on the My School DC application.

Some schools require students to wear a school uniform as part of their enrollment requirements. For information about a school’s uniform requirements or colors, contact the school directly.

A program aimed to keep youth in school, promote a safe and inviting learning environment, address issues, and provide opportunities for youth and adults to be active and accountable members of their school community.

School offers official outdoor garden space that engages students through hands-on lessons that enhance learning.