187 elementary schools serving pre-k through 5th grade (ages 4–11).
Browse all 187 schools that offer elementary grades (PK3–5) in Washington DC — including DCPS public schools, public charter schools, and private/parochial options. Filter by sector, ward, or apply via the My School DC lottery.
DC public schools (DCPS) and most public charter schools follow a August/early-September start. Pre-K3 starts at age 3 (turning 3 by Sept 30), Pre-K4 at age 4, and Kindergarten at age 5. Most schools follow the standard DCPS calendar. Check schoolreportcard.dc.gov or each school's site for exact dates.
Yes. DC offers universal free Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 at DCPS schools, public charter schools, and approved community-based programs. Apply through the My School DC lottery starting November of the year before. Private preschools charge tuition.
DCPS assigns an in-boundary elementary school to every DC address. Use the official Boundary Look-up at enrolldcps.dc.gov to find yours. You're guaranteed a seat at your in-boundary school, but you can also apply to other DCPS schools or charter schools through the lottery.
Ward 3 (Tenleytown, Cleveland Park, Chevy Chase) has historically been associated with strong DCPS elementary schools, but high-performing options exist in every ward — including Ward 4 (Lafayette, Brightwood Education Campus), Ward 5 (Brookland), Ward 6 (Brent, Maury, Capitol Hill Cluster), and growing options in Wards 7 and 8. STAR ratings from OSSE provide official performance data.
For your in-boundary DCPS school: no, you're guaranteed a seat. For any other DCPS school, any charter school, or any Pre-K3/Pre-K4 program: yes, apply through the My School DC lottery (opens November, closes late January). Private schools have their own separate applications.
DC has roughly 200 schools serving elementary grades (PK3 through 5), including DCPS, public charter, parochial, and private schools. Browse the full list above by ward.