BASIS DC PCS

At a Glance

BASIS DC PCS is a public charter school serving students in grades 5 through 12. Located at 410 8th Street NW in Ward 2, the school sits in a busy downtown corridor and draws families from across the District who are looking for an accelerated academic program in a single combined middle and high school setting.

According to the school, the BASIS Academic Program follows an internationally benchmarked and accelerated science and liberal arts curriculum, guided by teachers who emphasize student accountability and rigorous expectations. It is designed for families who want a structured, demanding academic environment from middle school through high school graduation.

What Parents Should Know

There are a few practical things to weigh before applying:

• Enrollment is by lottery. As a DC public charter school, BASIS DC does not have a neighborhood boundary. Any DC resident can apply through the My School DC common lottery, and seats are filled by random selection, with some preferences applied per DC charter rules.
• Grades 5–12 in one school. The 5–12 configuration means your child can stay in the same school community from late elementary through high school graduation, without a separate middle-to-high transition. Families joining in later grades should ask about open seats, since charter schools often have fewer openings in upper grades.
• The program is described as accelerated. Parents considering BASIS DC should look closely at the pace and workload expectations, and talk with current families about what daily homework and study time typically look like.
• No uniform is required. Students do not wear a uniform, though families should check the school's current dress code policy directly.
• Before- and after-care options exist. The school has indicated before- and after-care availability, with no-cost, fee-based, and sliding scale/voucher options. Specifics change year to year, so contact the school for current details.

Programs and Approach

BASIS DC is a charter school, so admission runs through My School DC, the District's common lottery. Families create one application, rank schools in order of preference, and receive a single match. The lottery typically opens in the winter for the following school year — check MySchoolDC.org for current deadlines.

Beyond the accelerated core academics described in the school's mission, BASIS DC offers Advanced Placement coursework, interscholastic sports, and a restorative justice approach to school culture. The school's stated philosophy centers on hard work, rigorous expectations, and student accountability as the path to academic excellence. For specifics on course sequences, AP offerings by grade, athletics, and student supports, the school's admissions team is the most reliable source — programs and staffing shift from year to year.

As with any charter school, it's worth asking about class size, teacher experience, graduation requirements, and how the school supports students who need more time with the material or, on the other end, students who want to push further.

Visiting and Contact

Address: 410 8th Street NW, Washington, DC (Ward 2) Phone: 202-804-6390

The downtown location is accessible by Metro and several bus lines, which can be a plus for families commuting from other parts of the city. For tour dates, open house events, current enrollment information, and the latest program details, visit the school's website at enrollbasis.com/washington-dc.