DC School Closings & Delays
How to check if Washington DC schools are closed today — official alert channels, snow-day policy, and historical closing data for DCPS, charter, and private schools.
Quick Answer
DCPS posts same-day closings on dcps.dc.gov and @dcps on Twitter/X by 5:30am. Charter schools decide independently — check your specific network. For fastest alerts: WTOP push notifications and the DCPS mobile app. Closings typically trigger at 4+ inches of snow or 1+ inch with ice; a 2-hour delay is more common than a full closure.
Where to get DC school closing alerts
The fastest official source for DCPS closings is @dcps on Twitter/X, followed by the DCPS website and mobile app push notifications. Local news aggregators (WTOP, WUSA9, NBC4, FOX5) pull from DCPS plus charter and private schools — useful if you have kids across multiple networks.
Why DC schools close
The most common reasons DC schools close are winter weather (snow, ice, dangerous wind chills), extreme heat without adequate cooling, facility emergencies (water main breaks, power outages, HVAC failures), and occasionally federal government shutdowns that affect access to school buildings on federal land.
DCPS closing decisions are made centrally by the Chancellor in consultation with DDOT (road conditions), the Mayor's Office, and the National Weather Service. The decision is typically made between 4:30am and 5:30am on the day of the weather event, after overnight road crews report conditions.
Charter schools and private schools make their own decisions. Some charter networks default to following DCPS; others (especially those with their own transportation) stay open more often. Private schools almost always decide independently — Sidwell Friends, GDS, and Maret often close when DCPS stays open, or vice versa, based on their own bus routes and student commute patterns.
DC snow-day policy & delays
There is no fixed snow threshold for DCPS closures. The Chancellor considers forecasted accumulation, road conditions, sidewalk safety, school bus fleet readiness (for IEP students who need transportation), and National Weather Service warnings. As a rough guide:
- 1–2 inches snow, no ice: usually 2-hour delay, not closure
- 3–4 inches snow: 2-hour delay or full closure depending on timing
- 4+ inches snow OR 1+ inch ice: full closure highly likely
- Wind chill below 0°F: may trigger closure even without snow
- Active Winter Storm Warning: closure almost certain
A 2-hour delay means all DCPS schools open 2 hours later. Bus pickup, breakfast service, and before-care programs are also delayed by 2 hours. Dismissal times usually run on the normal schedule. Two-hour delays are the most common winter-weather response because they let road crews clear surfaces during morning daylight.
Historical DC school closings
Typical DC winters produce 1–4 weather closure days. DCPS builds 5 make-up days into the school calendar; if more are needed, the year is extended in June.
| School Year | Closures | Delays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 3 | 2 | Mid-Jan snow event (5″), Feb ice storm, Mar wind warning |
| 2023–24 | 2 | 1 | Mild winter — single snow closure in January |
| 2022–23 | 4 | 3 | December cold snap, two January storms |
| 2021–22 | 5 | 2 | Winter Storm Frida (Jan), late-Feb ice event |
| 2015–16 | 8 | 4 | Snowzilla (Jan 2016) — 22″ accumulation, week-long closure |
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out if DC schools are closed today?+
Check the DCPS website (dcps.dc.gov) and the @dcps Twitter/X account first — they post closures and delays before any other source. Local news stations WUSA9, NBC4, FOX5, and WTOP also publish DC school closings on their websites by 5–6am on closing days. Charter school families should check their individual charter network — closings are NOT centralized across the 70+ charter LEAs in DC.
Are DC public schools closed today?+
DCPS announces same-day closings on the DCPS website and @dcps social channels by 5:30am. Multi-day closures are typically announced the evening before. The DC Public Schools system serves 116 traditional public schools across all 8 wards — closure decisions are made centrally by the DCPS Chancellor in consultation with DDOT and the Mayor.
Do DC charter schools close when DCPS closes?+
Not always. Each of DC's 70+ charter LEAs makes independent closing decisions. Some charter networks follow DCPS closures by default; others stay open or close on their own schedule. KIPP DC, Friendship, DC Prep, Center City, and most large networks publish closings on their own websites and apps. Always check your specific charter school — there is no centralized charter closing list.
Why do DC schools close?+
The most common reasons DC schools close are: (1) winter weather — snow, ice, dangerous wind chills below ~0°F; (2) extreme heat without adequate cooling; (3) federal government shutdowns affecting building access; (4) facility emergencies — water main breaks, power outages, HVAC failures; (5) public safety incidents in the surrounding area; (6) federal holidays and DCPS-scheduled professional development days.
How much snow closes DC schools?+
There is no fixed snow threshold for DCPS closings. The Chancellor considers forecasted accumulation, road conditions reported by DDOT, sidewalk conditions, the school bus fleet status for IEP students, and the National Weather Service Winter Storm Warnings. Closures typically trigger at 4+ inches of accumulation, or 1+ inch with ice. A 2-hour delay is more common than a full closure for marginal storms.
What is a 2-hour delay in DCPS?+
A 2-hour delay means all DCPS schools open 2 hours later than normal. Bus pickup, breakfast service, and before-care programs are also delayed by 2 hours. After-school programs and dismissal times usually run on the normal schedule. A 2-hour delay is the most common winter-weather response in DC because it lets road crews clear surfaces during the morning sun.
Where can I sign up for DC school closing alerts?+
Subscribe to: (1) the DCPS website alerts and DCPS mobile app; (2) follow @dcps on Twitter/X; (3) WTOP push alerts (wtop.com/alerts) — fastest local news source; (4) WUSA9 and NBC4 school-closings text alerts; (5) your specific charter school's email list or app. The DC HSEMA AlertDC system also pushes weather-related emergency alerts including school closings.
Do DC private schools follow DCPS closings?+
No. Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Day, GDS, Maret, St. Albans, NCS, Holton-Arms, Gonzaga, and other private schools in Washington DC make independent closing decisions. Most private schools post closings on their own websites and email parents directly. They also report to WUSA9 and WTOP closing lists, but they do NOT automatically follow DCPS or charter school closures.
How many days are DC schools typically closed per year for weather?+
Winter weather closes DC schools roughly 1–4 days per school year in a typical winter. The 2024–25 winter saw 3 full closure days and 2 delays. Severe winters (2010 snowstorm, 2016 Snowzilla, 2022 wind storm) have produced 5–10 closure days. DCPS builds 5 weather make-up days into the calendar; if more are needed, the school year is extended in June.
Are school closings the same for after-school activities?+
No — closure decisions for after-school activities, athletics, and evening events are made separately, often later in the day. A morning closure does not automatically cancel evening activities. Check the DCPS Athletics website (dcsaa.com) for sports cancellations, and individual school websites for after-care updates.