School Types
DC Public Schools (DCPS)
DC Public Schools is the traditional public school system operated by the DC government — serving approximately 50,000 students across about 115 schools. Here's how DCPS works and how to find the right school.
Browse DCPS Schools →How DCPS Works
- Operated by the DC government under the Office of the State Superintendent
- About 115 schools serving PreK–12 across all 8 wards
- In-boundary system: every DC address is assigned to neighborhood schools
- In-boundary families get priority seats at their assigned school
- Out-of-boundary students can still apply via the MySchoolDC lottery
- Participate in the same unified MySchoolDC lottery as charter schools
DCPS vs. Charter Schools
DCPS: In-Boundary Priority
Neighborhood families get priority seats. The closer you live, the better your odds at that school.
Charter: No Boundaries
Any DC resident can apply to any charter school. Equitable access priority applies instead of geography.
DCPS by Ward
Ward 1 View schools Ward 2 View schools Ward 3 View schools Ward 4 View schools Ward 5 View schools Ward 6 View schools Ward 7 View schools Ward 8 View schools
DCPS Schools to Explore
DC Public Schools sorted by academic performance. Click any school to view details on MySchoolDC.
School Without Walls High School
DCPSWard 2·9 to 12
Advanced PlacementDual College Enrollment
99% ELA
58% match
Benjamin Banneker High School
DCPSWard 2·9 to 12
Advanced PlacementArts Integration
92.3% ELA
100% match
Ross Elementary School
DCPSWard 2·PK4 to 5
83.8% ELA
5% match
Stoddert Elementary School
DCPSWard 3·PK4 to 5
82.2% ELA
10% match
Deal Middle School
DCPSWard 3·6 to 8
JROTCInterscholastic Sports
81.4% ELA
0% match
Janney Elementary School
DCPSWard 3·PK4 to 5
81% ELA
10% match
Find Your DCPS School
Browse DCPS schools by ward, grade, and program type on DC Parents School Guide.
Browse DCPS Schools →