Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC)

At a Glance

Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC) is a public high school in Congress Heights that offers students a distinctive pathway through their high school years. Located in Ward 8 at 1351 Alabama Avenue SE, this innovative school serves grades 9–12 through a partnership between Bard College and the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). What sets Bard DC apart is its early college model: students complete traditional 9th and 10th grade coursework, then spend their final two years taking actual college courses that count toward both their high school diploma and an associate degree from Bard College. The school opened its doors in August 2019, bringing this proven college-early model to DC families for the first time.

What Parents Should Know

The most important thing to understand about Bard DC is the accelerated timeline. Students who complete all four years can graduate with their high school diploma, an associate in arts degree from Bard College, and up to 60 transferable college credits—all tuition-free. This means eligible students could enter a four-year college as juniors, potentially saving two years of college tuition and time.

As a DCPS school, Bard DC participates in the My School DC lottery system for enrollment. This is the universal application process for all DC public and public charter schools, where families rank their preferences and students are matched through a centralized lottery. Because Bard DC's program is academically intensive and leads directly to college coursework, prospective families should consider whether their student is ready for a rigorous liberal arts and sciences curriculum that will accelerate beyond typical high school expectations by 11th grade.

The Congress Heights location in Ward 8 means the school serves a neighborhood that has historically had fewer educational options compared to other parts of the city. The early college model is designed to work for a diverse student body, with the mission explicitly focused on demonstrating that rigorous academics can engage and prepare all students for college success, regardless of background.

Families should also understand the commitment involved. Students will be taking actual college-level courses taught to college standards during their junior and senior years. The school's liberal arts and sciences focus means students will engage with a broad curriculum rather than specialized career training, building skills in critical thinking, writing, and analysis that transfer across fields.

Programs and Approach

Bard DC follows a two-phase model. In 9th and 10th grades, students complete high school coursework designed to prepare them for college-level academic expectations. The curriculum emphasizes writing, discussion, and analytical thinking aligned with the liberal arts tradition. In 11th and 12th grades, students transition to taking college courses that simultaneously fulfill high school graduation requirements and earn college credit from Bard College.

The school is part of the Bard network of early colleges, which operate in several states with the same basic model. The partnership structure means that while the school is fully part of DCPS for operational and enrollment purposes, Bard College provides the curriculum framework, college courses, and ultimately awards the associate degrees students earn.

Because Bard DC is a public school, there is no tuition for any part of the program, including the college courses and credits. This removes a significant financial barrier and creates an unusual opportunity: students can potentially complete half of a bachelor's degree before they even graduate high school, without their families paying college tuition.

Enrollment follows the standard My School DC process. Families create an account on the My School DC platform, typically between October and March for the following school year, and can rank Bard DC among their choices. The lottery runs in the spring, and families are notified of their placement.

Visiting and Contact

Bard High School Early College DC is located at 1351 Alabama Avenue SE in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Ward 8. Families interested in learning more about the early college model, visiting the campus, or getting information about upcoming application deadlines should visit the school's website at https://bhsec.bard.edu/dc/ or call 202-898-4664.