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DCPS Answers Your Toughest Questions

How do I find my student's in-boundary school?

  • Finding your student’s in-boundary school (also called the "neighborhood school") is easy by using our Electronic Boundary Information System (EBIS).
  • Simply enter your primary address and view the K-12 schools that are zoned for your address. Please note that primary residence is verified by proving residency at that address. Additional information about proving residency is available here.
  • Students are guaranteed a seat at their in-boundary school in grades Kindergarten through 12. Please note that students are not guaranteed a seat at their assigned school for PK3 or PK4. PK3 and PK4 seats are primarily assigned to students through the My School DC Common Lottery.

What’s a good online resource for parents to use to find more information about schools?

  • Visit our school profile page or My School DC for more information about each DCPS school and allows you to compare information about schools.

What is "My School DC"

  • My School DC common application is a single online application you must use to apply for:
  • The My School DC common lottery is a single, random lottery that determines placement for new students at all participating schools. Student-school matches are based on the number of spaces at each school; sibling, proximity, and other preferences; and each student’s choices.
    • DCPS out-of-boundary schools (K–12)
    • All DCPS PK3 and PK4 programs
    • DCPS specialized high schools (9–12)
    • Participating public charter schools (PK3–12)

Who should I contact regarding questions about the wait list?

  • Each school manages its own wait list. If you have any questions regarding a school’s wait list or your current placement on the wait list, please contact the school(s) directly.

What information do I need to enroll my student?

  • To enroll in DCPS, you will need:
    • Annual Student Enrollment Form
    • Residency Verification
    • Home Language Survey
    • Consent Forms
    • Media Release
    • Military Recruitment Opt-Out (Grades 7-12 only, Optional)
    • Social Security Card (for school specific programs including but not limited to after school programs)
    • Health Forms (Immunization Records, DC Universal Health Certificate, DC Oral Health Assessment, HPV-exclusive to grades 6-11 ONLY)
    • Age verification (first time DCPS students ONLY)
  • You can download the DCPS Enrollment Packet here.

When does the SY 2015-2016 My School DC Common Lottery begin?

  • Families interested in participating in the SY 2015-2016 My School DC Common Lottery will be able to apply starting December 15, 2014. The deadline for students enrolling in grades 9-12 is February 2, 2015.  The deadline for students enrolling in grades PK3-8 is March 2, 2014. The My School DC application can be found at: myschoooldc.org.

What are the age requirements for PK3 and PK4 for SY 2015-2016?

  • Per DC Municipal Regulations, parents may only enroll students in PK3 if they are three years old by September 30, 2015.
  • Per DC Municipal Regulations, parents may only enroll students in PK4 if they are four years old by September 30, 2015.
  • Regrettably, DCPS is unable to provide any exceptions.

What resources are available to help parents understand the lottery and enrollment process?

  • For questions and concerns that are specific to how to use our lottery website, please contact My School DC hotline at (202) 888-6336 or view the My School DC website at www.MySchoolDC.org.
  • For questions or concerns regarding the DCPS enrollment process, the Chancellor's Response Team is ready to assist parents on a one-on-one basis.  The Chancellor's Response Team can “personalize” enrollment so parents can be assured that their students are being placed in the right setting.
  • This personalized help session includes assistance in navigating DCPS online resources, referrals to school administrators, and the chance to find out about new and emerging programs. If you have questions regarding enrollment in a DCPS school, please contact the Chancellor's Response Team at (202) 478-5738.

What is the attendance policy for students attending Out-of-Boundary schools?

  • Students who have more than 10 unexcused absences or 20 unexcused tardies may be asked to return to their neighborhood school at the end of the school year. Schools have been instructed to follow the appropriate attendance interventions. Families should expect to receive notice in writing or via conference after their student has five unexcused absences or ten unexcused tardies.
  • This policy is designed to support regular and timely school attendance.

Are students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) eligible to participate in the lottery?

  • All school-age children who reside within the District of Columbia are eligible to participate in the My School DC Common Lottery. For students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), an additional review may be performed to ensure that the destination school is able to fully meet the needs of the student.
  • If you have questions regarding your child’s specific needs, please contact the Office of Specialized Instruction at (202) 442-4800.

What are the options for students who are 18+ and/or in need of credit recovery?

  • The Student Placement Office provides assistance to residents between the ages of 15-22 years old seeking secondary educational options. The Student Placement Office also oversees the placement of students who are new to the District of Columbia and students who are transitioning from other local schools. For more information, please call the Student Placement Office at (202) 939-2004 or send an email to [email protected].

How do I prove my residency in the District of Columbia so I can enroll my student?

  • Proving where you live, also called "verifying residency," is a critical part of the enrollment process. Only residents of the District of Columbia are eligible to receive a free public education in the District. In fairness to that policy, all parents are required to verify residency. Normally, this will be done at the school during the enrollment process. All parents must verify residency prior to the start of school.
  • Please note that only the parent and/or legal guardian of a student may enroll that student in school. The parent and/or legal guardian must be the individual listed on any/all of the requested residency documents.
  • Please consult the following list to see which documents will be needed to verify residency.
  • Any two (2) of these documents:
    • District of Columbia-issued Driver's License or non-driver's identification, displaying your name and current address;
    • Lease or rental agreement, displaying your name and current address, with a payment receipt for a period within 2 months;
    • Utility (gas, electric, water) bill, displaying your name and current address, with a payment receipt for a period within 2 months; and/or
    • DC Vehicle Registration, displaying your name and current address.
  • You may also use any one (1) of these documents:
    • A pay stub showing DC tax withholdings, displaying your name and current address;
    • Proof of financial assistance (i.e. TANF, Medicare, SCHIP, Housing, etc.) issued within the past 12 months, displaying your name and current address;
    • SSI (Supplemental Security Income) annual benefits notification; issued within the past 12 months, displaying your name and current address;
    • Official military housing orders, displaying your name and current address;
    • Proof child is a ward of the District of Columbia; or
    • Embassy letter, dated April 1, 2013 or later.
  • If parents have additional questions or concerns about proving residency, please contact the DCPS Residency Office at (202) 442-5215.

I would like to report an incident or share feedback about a school. Who should I speak with?

All DC Public School Principals welcome feedback from students, parents, teachers and community members.  If you would like to share a concern about a specific incident, please reach out to the Grievance POC for your school or email DCPS grievance at [email protected]. Information regarding grievances, as well as an online grievance intake form can be found here. 

My student is receiving special education and I have a question about his or her Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Who should I speak with?

  • Step 1: Contact your student’s special education coordinator.
    • For questions about your student’s IEP, please contact his or her special education coordinator (SEC).
  • Step 2: Contact your student’s school principal.
    • If you are still in need of guidance after speaking with the SEC, please contact the school principal.
  • Step 3: Contact the Office of Specialized Instruction at (202) 673-4488.

What is PARCC?

  • PARCC stands for the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.  PARCC is a new and rigorous assessment developed for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts and Math. The PARCC assessment is a computer-based test that requires students to think critically and solve real world problems. It will be administered for the first time in Spring 2015 replacing the DC CAS. DCPS students in grades 3-8 and HS students enrolled in subjects identified by the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will take the test.

How will PARCC affect my student?

  • Data from PARCC will show whether students are on track to be successful in college and their careers.  PARCC does not affect your student’s ability to graduate to the next grade level, nor does it affect their class grades.

My student has an IEP. Will he or she be participating in PARCC?

  • Students with IEP will participate in the PARCC assessments with accommodations. Students with IEPs and with severe cognitive disabilities will take the state alternate summative test called National Center and State Collaborative (NCSC). For more information about which test your student may take, please contact your school’s Special Education Coordinator.

Where can I apply for the specialized citywide high schools?

  • Students applying to DCPS specialized high schools must complete an additional section of the My School DC application. The additional section is different for each school because each school has its own requirements. Students can apply to as few as one or as many as all six specialized high schools. Students can apply to any combination of specialized high schools, DCPS out-of-boundary schools, and public charter schools. Each student can apply to as few as one or as many as 12 total schools.  DCPS specialized high schools also may require entrance exams, interviews, or auditions. After students submit their applications, the specialized high schools will contact applicants directly to arrange these elements of the application process.
  • The  My School DC application for 2015-2016 opens on December 15, 2014 and all high school applications must be submitted by February 2, 2015. Please visit the MySchoolDC.org website for more information or call the Chancellor's Response Team at (202) 478-5738

How can I request a copy of my high school transcript?

  • If the high school you attended is still in operation, please contact the high school registrar.
  • If the high school you attended is now CLOSED, please contact the Chancellor's Response Team at (202) 478-5738 or send us a message. The CRT will work with you to locate your records and ensure that a duplicate is mailed to you.

How can I request a duplicate copy of my high school diploma?

  • If you graduated from high school after 1999, please contact the high school registrar. The registrar will verify your graduation date, initiate the creation of a duplicate diploma and ensure that it is mailed to you.
  • If you graduated from a high school that is now CLOSED, please contact the Chancellor's Response Team at (202) 478-5738 or send us a message. The CRT will work with you to locate your records and assist you in requesting a duplicate diploma.

Still need help?

One thing we've learned is that not all questions fit into neat little boxes!