About DC Schools Guide
DCSchools.com is an independent, editorially neutral directory built to help Washington DC families find the right school — without sifting through 12 different government websites.
Our mission
DC has one of the most complex K-12 school systems in the country — 116 public DCPS schools, 123 charter schools, 46 private schools, and 34 parochial schools, spread across 8 wards with different enrollment rules, lottery deadlines, and grade configurations. Most families only have a few weeks each year to make a decision that affects the next 6-13 years of their child's education.
We built DCSchools.com to give families one reliable place to compare schools by ward, neighborhood, school type, grade level, and lottery status — so they can spend less time on bureaucratic websites and more time visiting schools.
How we collect and verify data
Every school listing is built from multiple primary sources:
- →OSSE (Office of the State Superintendent of Education) — official enrollment data, grade configurations, and school classifications
- →My School DC — lottery eligibility, application windows, and enrollment deadlines
- →Individual school websites — program offerings, language immersion, specialties, and contact details
- →DC Public Schools directory — addresses, ward boundaries, and neighborhood assignments
Data is reviewed and updated at the start of each school year. For time-sensitive information — lottery deadlines, phone numbers, website URLs — we recommend verifying directly with the school before acting on it.
Editorial standards
No paid placements. Schools cannot pay to appear higher in search results or receive a featured listing. All 319 schools are treated equally in our directory.
No affiliate relationships. We have no financial relationship with any school, enrollment platform, or tutoring service. Links to external sites (school websites, My School DC) are provided for convenience and carry no commercial arrangement.
No ratings or rankings. We do not rate or rank schools by quality. Choosing the right school is a personal decision that depends on your child, your neighborhood, and your family's priorities — not a league table.
Not affiliated with DCPS or any government body. This is an independent website. We are not DC Public Schools, My School DC, OSSE, or any other government agency.
Who uses DC Schools Guide
Primarily parents and guardians in Washington DC who are choosing a school for the first time, relocating to DC, or re-evaluating their child's current school. The My School DC lottery opens each January — this site is especially useful in the October–January window when families are researching their options.
Found an error?
If a school listing contains outdated or incorrect information, please let us know. We take data accuracy seriously and will investigate and correct verified errors promptly. Contact us at hello@dcschools.com