123 public charter schools across all 8 wards.
DC public charter schools are tuition-free, publicly funded, and independently operated. Unlike DCPS schools, charter schools have no boundary requirements — any DC resident can apply through the unified My School DC lottery, which opens each November.
DC public charter schools are tuition-free and publicly funded, but independently run with their own boards, curricula, and educational philosophies. They serve roughly half of all public-school students in the District.
Every DC public charter school admits students through the My School DC lottery. The application opens each November, closes in late January, and matches families to schools in March. Families rank up to 12 schools (any mix of charter and DCPS) on a single application at myschooldc.org.
Unlike DCPS in-boundary schools, charter schools accept students from any ward. Some give preference to siblings of current students or to students in the school's home ward, but you can apply regardless of where you live in DC.
The DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is the sole charter authorizer in DC. They publish performance frameworks, renewal decisions, and annual reports for every charter school in the District.
Many DC charter operators run multiple campuses. Browsing by network can help families who want consistent curriculum and culture across grade transitions.
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 My School DC lottery.
All DC public charter schools participate in the unified My School DC 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 myschooldc.org.
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.
Charter schools in DC use the unified My School DC lottery. Application opens each November and closes in late January.