Find Your DC Neighborhood School
Every DC address is assigned to specific DCPS schools. Find yours — and understand how in-boundary priority affects your lottery chances.
Look Up My Address on MySchoolDC →How In-Boundary Priority Works
DCPS schools reserve a portion of seats for students living within their attendance zone. These in-boundary seats are filled first, before the general lottery opens.
If more in-boundary families apply than there are in-boundary seats, in-boundary applicants enter a separate lottery — which typically has much better odds than the general lottery.
If you live in-boundary, always include your neighborhood school on your lottery list. Even if it's not your first choice, it improves your odds of getting placed somewhere good.
Lottery Strategy for In-Boundary Families
- 1 List your true #1 choice first — even if it's not your neighborhood school
- 2 Include your neighborhood school somewhere on your list as a reliable option
- 3 Apply to charter schools too — no geographic limit means more options
- 4 List all 12 schools — never leave slots empty
- 5 Attend your neighborhood school's open house even if it's not your first pick
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my DC neighborhood school?
Go to myschooldc.org and use the address lookup tool to find your in-boundary DCPS schools for elementary, middle, and high school.
Is my DC neighborhood school guaranteed?
No — you still need to apply through the MySchoolDC lottery. In-boundary priority gives you better odds, but it's not a guarantee, especially at high-demand schools.
Can I apply to schools outside my neighborhood?
Yes. DC charter schools have no geographic limits — any DC resident can apply. You can also apply to DCPS schools outside your attendance zone, though you won't have in-boundary priority.
What is in-boundary priority?
In-boundary priority means DCPS schools reserve some seats specifically for children who live within the school's attendance zone. These seats are filled first, before the general lottery.
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