DC Parents School Guide
Lottery Resources

MySchoolDC Guide

MySchoolDC is DC's official school application system. Here's how to use it effectively — alongside DC Parents School Guide for your research.

Step-by-Step: Using MySchoolDC

1

Create Your Account

Go to apply.myschooldc.dc.gov and create an account using your email address. You'll need to verify your DC residency. Do this early — don't wait until the deadline.

2

Add Your Children

Enter each child's information including date of birth, current school (if any), and grade level. Make sure birth dates are correct — this affects grade level eligibility.

3

Research Schools First

Before building your MySchoolDC list, use DC Parents School Guide to research schools — comparing academics, programs, match rates, and logistics across all your options.

4

Build Your Ranked List

Add up to 12 schools in ranked order. Put your true first choice at #1. The algorithm never penalizes you for listing a competitive school first.

5

Submit Before the Deadline

Submit your application before mid-February. Applications submitted after the deadline are not accepted. Submit at least a week early as a buffer.

6

Check Your Results

Log into MySchoolDC in late March to see your match results. You'll have about two weeks to accept or decline your offer.

What MySchoolDC Does

  • Official school application
  • Open house schedules
  • Match result notification
  • Waitlist management
  • Enrollment paperwork

What DC Parents School Guide Adds

  • School Fit Quiz — score all 242 schools by your priorities
  • Side-by-side school comparison
  • Lottery match rate data
  • Filter by program, ward, grade
  • Drag-and-drop ranked list builder
  • Academic proficiency data

Top DC Schools

Top-rated DC schools to add to your MySchoolDC lottery list.

Not sure where to start?

Answer 5 quick questions about grade level, ward, programs, and logistics. We'll score all 242 DC schools and show you the best fits.

Take the School Fit Quiz →

Start Your Research Now

Research schools on DC Parents School Guide, then submit your official application on MySchoolDC.

Browse Schools →