75 high school schools serving grades 9 through 12 (ages 14–18).
Browse all 75 schools that offer high school grades (9–12) in Washington DC — including DCPS public schools, public charter schools, and private/parochial options. Filter by sector, ward, or apply via the DC school lottery.
Sortable directory — click any school for full profile, contact info, and admissions details.
DC high schools serve grades 9–12 (ages 14–18). DCPS operates traditional high schools (each with an in-boundary boundary), selective high schools (Banneker, School Without Walls, Duke Ellington, McKinley Tech), and themed academies. Public charter high schools — including KIPP, Friendship Collegiate, Thurgood Marshall Academy, and Bard High School Early College — admit through the DC school lottery.
DCPS selective high schools (admission based on academic criteria + lottery): Benjamin Banneker Academic HS, School Without Walls @ GWU, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, McKinley Technology HS, and Bard High School Early College DC. Each has its own application requirements (test scores, audition, portfolio) plus lottery rules.
For 9th grade entry, apply during the DC school lottery (November–late January). Selective DCPS high schools (Banneker, Walls, Ellington, McKinley, Bard) have additional application steps — auditions, portfolios, or test scores — typically due December–January. Decisions release in March.
High-performing DCPS options include Benjamin Banneker (top STAR rating), School Without Walls, and Jackson-Reed (the largest DCPS high school). Top charter options: BASIS DC, Washington Latin, KIPP DC College Prep, and Bard. Top private: Sidwell Friends, Maret, GDS, St. Albans, National Cathedral, Gonzaga. Choice depends on academic profile, location, and program fit.
For your in-boundary DCPS high school: no, you're guaranteed a seat. For any other DCPS or any charter high school: yes, lottery via DC school lottery. Selective DCPS schools combine application steps with the lottery. Private high schools have completely separate independent applications.
Graduation rates vary widely by school. The DC OSSE Report Card (schoolreportcard.dc.gov) publishes four-year and five-year graduation rates for every DCPS and charter high school annually. Top schools regularly exceed 90% graduation rates.
Yes. DC public charter high schools have no boundary requirements — any DC resident can apply to any charter regardless of ward. Lottery preference may be given to siblings of currently enrolled students or to students applying to the school's home ward.