DC School Lottery Guide
The MySchoolDC unified lottery is how DC families apply to public schools — DCPS and charter — through one application. Here's how to navigate it.
Browse Schools & Build Your List →How the DC School Lottery Works
Research & Apply
Browse schools, attend open houses, build your ranked list of up to 12 schools, and submit your application on MySchoolDC by mid-February.
The Algorithm Runs
A deferred acceptance algorithm matches each child to the highest-ranked school on their list where they qualify and there's a seat available.
Get Your Results
Results are released in late March. You'll receive a match, a waitlist placement, or go through the out-of-boundary process.
Key Lottery Deadlines
Priority Categories
Not all applicants are treated equally. Priority is given in this order:
- 1 Sibling priority — has a brother or sister currently enrolled
- 2 In-boundary priority — lives within a DCPS school's attendance zone
- 3 Equitable access priority — at-risk students at charter schools
- 4 General lottery — all other applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DC school lottery?
The DC school lottery is the MySchoolDC unified enrollment system that allows DC families to apply to both DCPS and public charter schools through a single application submitted each January–February.
When does the DC school lottery open?
The lottery application window opens in early January and closes in mid-February each year. Results are released in late March.
How many schools can I list in the DC lottery?
You can list up to 12 schools in ranked order. We strongly recommend listing all 12 — every additional school is another chance to match somewhere great.
Is the DC school lottery random?
The lottery uses a deferred acceptance algorithm that respects your ranked preferences. It's not purely random — your list order matters, and priority categories (sibling, in-boundary, equitable access) affect outcomes.
Do I have to pay to apply to the DC school lottery?
No. Applying to the DC school lottery through MySchoolDC is completely free.
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DCPSReady to Find Your Schools?
Use DC Parents School Guide to browse, filter, compare, and rank your Top 12 schools before submitting your lottery application.
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