Cardozo Education Campus

At a Glance

Cardozo Education Campus is a District of Columbia public school serving students in grades 8 through 12 in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Ward 1. Located on Clifton Street NW, the school combines middle and high school under one roof, offering a complete secondary education pathway for families in this historically diverse and growing neighborhood. As a DCPS institution, Cardozo operates under the district's commitment to providing accessible public education to all DC residents. The school's stated mission emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment built on core values of teamwork, work ethic, integrity, respect, and leadership.

What Parents Should Know

Cardozo's grade configuration as an education campus means students can enter in eighth grade and remain through high school graduation, potentially eliminating the typical transition between middle and high school buildings. This continuity can benefit families looking for stability during the critical secondary school years, though parents should understand how the school manages the different developmental needs of middle versus high school students within the same building.

As a DCPS school, Cardozo participates in the My School DC lottery system for enrollment. Families apply during the annual lottery window, and Ward 1 residents receive preference for admission under the district's by-right boundary policies. Parents new to the process should note that middle school entry points (grade 8) and high school entry points (grade 9) may have different availability and waitlist dynamics.

The Columbia Heights location places Cardozo in a neighborhood well-served by Metro's Green and Yellow lines, with the Columbia Heights station nearby, making the campus accessible for students coming from other parts of the city. The surrounding area has experienced significant growth and change over the past two decades, and families should visit to get a sense of the current neighborhood context and how students navigate to and from school.

Understanding the school's social contract framework—emphasizing teamwork, work ethic, integrity, respect, and leadership—can help families assess whether this approach aligns with their educational priorities. Parents should inquire directly about how these values translate into daily school culture, discipline policies, and student support systems during tours or conversations with school staff.

Programs and Approach

As a traditional DCPS education campus, Cardozo follows the District of Columbia's learning standards and graduation requirements for high school students while providing middle school programming aligned with district benchmarks. The school's mission statement highlights a commitment to fostering growth for all stakeholders through its values-based social contract, suggesting a school culture focused on community building and character development alongside academics.

Families interested in Cardozo should research current offerings directly through the school, as public schools regularly evolve their programming based on student needs, staffing, and resources. DCPS schools typically offer a range of core academic courses, and many provide extracurricular activities, sports, and student support services, though specific offerings can vary year to year.

Because Cardozo serves grades 8-12, prospective families should ask about how the school structures its programs to serve both middle and high school students effectively. Questions about teacher assignments, scheduling, shared facilities, and social separation between age groups are worth exploring during the decision-making process.

Parents can find current information about course offerings, graduation rates, teacher qualifications, and school performance data through the DC School Report Card website, which provides standardized data for all DCPS schools. Visiting during the school day and speaking with current families can provide additional perspective beyond what appears in official data.

Visiting and Contact

Cardozo Education Campus is located at 1200 Clifton Street NW in the Columbia Heights neighborhood. Prospective families should visit http://www.cardozoec.org/ for current information about tours, open houses, and enrollment details, or call 202-673-7385 to speak with the main office.