(Washington, DC) – Today, on the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced that enrollment in the District’s public schools reached 98,649 students in the 2023-24 school year – a new record since OSSE began tracking enrollment in 2007. The official audited enrollment number represents an additional 2,126 students, or a 2.2% increase, over the previous school year. The Mayor will highlight the enrollment numbers today at a Teacher Appreciation Week celebration at the River Terrace Education Campus in Ward 7.
“As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, these enrollment numbers are a testament to the work of our educators,” said Mayor Bowser. “We love our teachers. This week and every week, we celebrate our teachers in schools across all eight wards who love and challenge our young people and push them to dream big.”
Enrollment in DC Public Schools (DCPS) increased from 50,131 to 51,293 students, a 2.3% increase over the previous school year. Enrollment in DC’s public charter schools increased from 46,392 to 47,356 students, a 2.1% increase over the previous school year. These enrollment figures represent the final, audited numbers. Unaudited numbers were released in October 2023.
“It’s important to remember that public school enrollment in the District of Columbia isn’t just a number to us—it’s a testament to the trust that families place in our education system and reflects our collective commitment to providing quality education,” said State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant. “This milestone is crucial because it signifies progress and the potential for even greater achievements in the future. It’s a clear indicator that our city values education and is dedicated to the growth and development of every student.”
The chart below tracks enrollment trends since the 2007-08 school year with final, audited numbers for the 2023-24 school year.
|
School Year |
DCPS |
Charter |
State |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023-24 |
51,293 |
47,356 |
98,649 |
|
2022-23 |
50,131 |
46,392 |
96,523 |
|
2021-22 |
49,035 |
44,899 |
93,934 |
|
2019-20 |
49,890 |
43,942 |
93,832 |
|
2018-19 |
51,037 |
43,518 |
94,555 |
|
2017-18 |
49,056 |
43,960 |
93,016 |
|
2016-17 |
48,555 |
41,506 |
90,061 |
|
2015-16 |
48,439 |
38,905 |
87,344 |
|
2014-15 |
47,548 |
37,684 |
85,403 |
|
2013-14 |
46,393 |
36,565 |
82,958 |
|
2012-13 |
45,557 |
34,673 |
80,230 |
|
2011-12 |
45,191 |
31,562 |
76,753 |
|
2010-11 |
45,631 |
29,366 |
74,997 |
|
2009-10 |
44,718 |
27,661 |
72,379 |
|
2008-09 |
45,190 |
25,729 |
70,919 |
|
2007-08 |
49,422 |
21,947 |
71,369 |
As the state education agency, OSSE is responsible for contracting with an independent auditor to conduct an annual audit of the student enrollment data submitted by local education agencies (LEAs) in the District of Columbia. In the first week of October, auditors contracted by OSSE launch an audit of public-school enrollment in DC that includes a review of student enrollment documentation submitted by LEAs.
As part of the annual process, LEAs resolve any anomalies found in enrollment documents and are offered the opportunity to appeal the results of the audit as they relate to their schools. Once all documents and appeals are reviewed and resolved, OSSE releases final, official enrollment numbers to LEAs.
For additional resources regarding the District of Columbia 2023-24 school year student enrollment audit, as well as information about past enrollment audits, visit the OSSE website at osse.dc.gov.
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