DC Public Schools is proud to be a national leader in providing early childhood education to our youngest learners. The Equitable Access program is designed to expand access to Pre-Kindergarten seats (PK3 and PK4) at DC Public Schools for students furthest from opportunity. Families who meet the criteria will receive additional considerations in the school lottery process when applying for certain schools.
Who is eligible for the Equitable Access Program?
Prospective PK3/PK4 students who are:
- Experiencing homelessness, OR
- In the District’s foster care system, OR
- Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program
Do I need to apply for this program for my child?
All PK3 and PK4 students must apply via the My School DC lottery to access a seat. There is no special application for Equitable Access seats outside of the My School DC application. Eligible students should apply just as they would otherwise to their preferred choices on their My School DC application. If an applicant to PK3 or PK4 selects one of the participating schools, and when prompted in the application consents to their personal information being shared with My School DC, the system will automatically check whether the student is eligible for Equitable Access.
Which schools are participating?
All six of DCPS’ citywide elementary schools will offer Equitable Access Designated Seats for School Year 2025-2026.
- Capitol Hill Montessori
- Dorothy I. Height Elementary School
- Excel Academy
- Military Road Early Learning Center
- School-Within-School @ Goding
- Stevens Early Learning Center
12 DCPS neighborhood elementary schools will offer Equitable Access Designated Seats for families who live in-boundary for School Year 2025-2026:
- Amidon-Bowen Elementary School
- Barnard Elementary School
- Burrville Elementary School
- H.D. Cooke Elementary School
- J.O. Wilson Elementary School
- Maury Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Miner Elementary School
- Oyster-Adams Bilingual School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Stoddert Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Shirley Chisholm Elementary School
- Van Ness Elementary School
In addition, one high school, MacArthur High School (neighborhood school) will participate.
18 DCPS schools will offer an Equitable Access Preference to families who live in-boundary for School Year 2025-2026:
- Brent Elementary School
- Browne Education Campus *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Bruce-Monroe Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Eaton Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Garrison Elementary School
- Hearst Elementary School
- Hendley Elementary School
- John Lewis Elementary School
- Ketcham Elementary School
- King Elementary School
- Lafayette Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Mann Elementary School
- Marie Reed Elementary School
- Payne Elementary School
- Powell Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Savoy Elementary School
- Tubman Elementary School *newly participating in SY 2025-26
- Turner Elementary School
More information is available at myschooldc.org/apply/applying-to-PK.