DC My School Lottery
The DC My School lottery is the unified application system for public charter and select DC Public Schools. Here's how it works.
Key Dates
Submit your ranked list of up to 12 schools at myschooldc.org.
Check your offers online. You have ~2 weeks to accept or decline.
Complete paperwork with your matched school to secure your seat.
How the Lottery Works
Create a My School DC account
Register at myschooldc.org. You need a DC address and your child's birth certificate.
Rank up to 12 schools
List schools in true preference order. The algorithm matches your child to the highest-ranked school where a seat is available. There is no penalty for ranking a school lower.
The lottery runs in March
A computer algorithm assigns seats using a random tiebreaker. Siblings of enrolled students and in-boundary students get preference at DCPS schools.
Accept your offer
Log in to see your results. Accept or decline within the deadline. If you decline or miss the deadline, the seat goes to the next family on the waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the DC My School lottery application open?▼
The DC My School lottery application window typically opens in early January and closes in mid-February. Exact dates are announced each fall on myschooldc.org.
When are DC lottery results announced?▼
Lottery results are typically released in March. Families receive offers via email and can view them in their My School DC account.
What schools participate in the DC My School lottery?▼
Most DC public charter schools and some DC Public Schools participate. Private schools using Empowerment Scholarships (Opportunity Scholarships) have a separate process.
Can I apply to multiple schools in the DC lottery?▼
Yes. Families can rank up to 12 schools in order of preference. The lottery algorithm tries to match each child to the highest-ranked school with an available seat.
What happens after I receive a lottery offer?▼
You must accept or decline the offer by the deadline (typically within two weeks). After accepting, the school will contact you to complete enrollment paperwork.
Ready to Apply?
Visit the official DC My School portal to start your application.
Go to My School DC →Browse Schools by Ward
Not sure which schools to add to your lottery list? Browse by ward to find schools near you.