Public Charter Schools in Washington DC

DCSchools.com lists 123 public charter schools operating across all 8 wards of the District of Columbia. They are publicly funded, tuition-free, and open to all DC residents through the DC school lottery.

All DC public charter schools participate in the unified DC school lottery. The application window typically opens in November and closes in late January for the following school year. Families rank up to 12 schools (mix of charter and DCPS) on a single application at the DC lottery portal.

DCPS (DC Public Schools) is the traditional public school system with assigned in-boundary schools. Public charter schools are publicly funded but independently run, with their own boards, curricula, and admissions handled exclusively through the lottery. Both are tuition-free for DC residents.

Major DC charter networks include KIPP DC (multiple campuses), Friendship Public Charter Schools, AppleTree Early Learning, DC Prep, Center City PCS, Rocketship Public Schools, Two Rivers PCS, and Capital City Public Charter School. Many networks operate multiple campuses across different wards.

No. Unlike DCPS schools, public charter schools do not have boundary requirements — any DC resident can apply to any charter school regardless of which ward they live in. However, lottery priority is sometimes given to siblings of currently enrolled students or to students in the same ward.

Yes. The Kids Ride Free program covers all DC residents ages 5–21 enrolled in any public school in the District — DCPS or charter. Free Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator on school days.

The DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is the sole authorizer and oversight body for all public charter schools in DC. They publish school performance reports and renewal decisions at dcpcsb.org.

The DC school lottery application opens in early November and closes in late January each year. For SY 2026-27, the deadline was in late January 2026. Results are released in March. Late applicants are placed on waitlists. Apply at myschooldc.org.

No. DC public charter schools are open to DC residents only. Proof of DC residency is required at enrollment. Families moving to DC can apply if they establish DC residency before the enrollment deadline.

OSSE star ratings are one official measure of charter school quality in DC. Several DC charter schools have earned 5/5 OSSE stars, including BASIS DC, E.L. Haynes, Lee Montessori, and Washington Latin. Browse school profiles on DCSchools.com to see OSSE ratings, grade bands, and ward locations for all 123 charter schools.