AppleTree Early Learning PCS - Parklands @ THEARC

At a Glance

AppleTree Early Learning PCS – Parklands @ THEARC is a tuition-free public charter preschool serving PK3 and PK4 students in Ward 8. The campus is located at 1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, on the THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus) site, a community hub that brings together education, arts, and family services east of the Anacostia River.

Because it focuses exclusively on three- and four-year-olds, this is a first-school experience for most families who enroll. It is part of the broader AppleTree network, which operates multiple early learning campuses across DC and has been providing preschool to District families for more than 25 years.

What Parents Should Know

A few practical points for DC families considering this campus:

• It's tuition-free. As a DC public charter school, AppleTree does not charge tuition. Families anywhere in the District are eligible to apply.
• Grades are PK3 and PK4 only. That means families will need to plan a transition to a kindergarten program after PK4. Many families use the My School DC lottery again in the PK4 year to secure a kindergarten seat at a DCPS or charter elementary school.
• Location at THEARC matters. THEARC is a well-known Ward 8 campus that also houses partner organizations offering arts, health, and recreation programming. Families east of the river often find it a more accessible option than traveling across the city for preschool.
• The program is built around early learning specifically. Unlike elementary schools that include a preschool grade or two, AppleTree was designed from the ground up for PK3 and PK4. Class structures, staffing, and the school day are tailored to that age group.
• Plan ahead for enrollment. Preschool seats in DC are competitive, and PK3 in particular tends to draw a high number of applicants citywide.

Programs and Approach

AppleTree campuses use the network's research-based instructional model, Every Child Ready, which is designed specifically for PK3 and PK4 learners. According to the school, the approach blends academics, social-emotional development, and play-based learning so that young children get a structured but nurturing introduction to school. The stated goal is to support kindergarten readiness while protecting the developmental needs of three- and four-year-olds.

As a DC public charter school, enrollment is handled through the My School DC common lottery (myschooldc.org). Families submit a single application listing their school choices in ranked order; lottery results are released in the spring. There is no neighborhood boundary, and families across all eight wards can apply. If a seat is not offered in the initial round, families can join the waitlist.

For PK3 applicants, parents should pay attention to the lottery application window and required documents (proof of DC residency and the child's age/birth certificate), since preschool seats fill quickly.

Visiting and Contact

Address: 1801 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, DC (Ward 8, at THEARC) Phone: 202-506-1890 Website: https://www.appletreeinstitute.org/

Families interested in touring the Parklands @ THEARC campus or learning about open seats, lottery timelines, and program details should check the AppleTree website for the most current information.