DC Bilingual PCS

At a Glance

DC Bilingual Public Charter School serves students in prekindergarten (age 3) through fifth grade in the Fort Totten neighborhood of Ward 5. As a dual-language immersion charter school, DC Bilingual provides instruction in both Spanish and English to all students, creating a learning environment where children develop bilingualism and biliteracy regardless of their home language. The school's mission centers on ensuring high academic achievement in both languages while developing leadership skills and celebrating diverse cultures.

Founded in 2004, DC Bilingual welcomes families from across the District of Columbia through the charter school lottery system. The elementary-only grade configuration means families will need to plan for a transition to middle school after fifth grade.

What Parents Should Know

DC Bilingual participates in the My School DC lottery, the common enrollment system for DC charter schools and out-of-boundary DCPS schools. Families interested in enrollment must submit an application during the annual lottery window, typically held in late winter for the following school year. As with all DC charter schools, there are no attendance boundaries, meaning families from any ward can apply.

The school's dual-language immersion model is designed for all students, whether they arrive speaking Spanish, English, both, or neither. In a true dual immersion program, students receive instruction in both languages throughout the school day, with the goal of developing full proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking both Spanish and English by the time they complete elementary school. This approach differs from traditional foreign language classes or English as a Second Language pullout programs.

Parents should be aware that DC Bilingual only serves students through fifth grade. Families will need to apply to other schools for middle school, either through the My School DC lottery for charter or out-of-boundary DCPS options, or through their in-boundary DCPS middle school. Planning ahead for this transition during fourth or fifth grade is important for ensuring a smooth continuation of your child's education.

The Fort Totten location on Riggs Road NE is accessible by Metro via the Fort Totten station on the Red, Green, and Yellow lines. Families should consider commute time and transportation logistics when deciding whether to apply, particularly if they live in other areas of the District.

Programs and Approach

DC Bilingual's educational model emphasizes academic achievement in both Spanish and English through immersive instruction rather than treating one language as supplemental to the other. The school's comprehensive approach includes not just core academics but also arts, technology, and athletics programs that support the whole child's development.

The charter school structure provides DC Bilingual with flexibility in curriculum design and scheduling while maintaining accountability to DC's Public Charter School Board. Like all DC charter schools, DC Bilingual must meet performance standards and serves as a free public school option with no tuition charges. The school values cultural diversity as a core component of its educational philosophy, creating a community where students from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds learn together.

Starting as early as prekindergarten for three-year-olds allows families to begin their child's bilingual education journey early, when language acquisition happens most naturally. The continuity through fifth grade gives students six to seven years of consistent dual-language instruction, building a strong foundation in bilingualism and biliteracy.

Families interested in learning more about the school's specific approach to dual immersion, daily schedules, and community culture should reach out directly to the school or attend information sessions, which charter schools typically offer during the enrollment season.

Visiting and Contact

DC Bilingual Public Charter School is located at 33 Riggs Road NE in the Fort Totten neighborhood. For information about touring the school, enrollment timelines, and current programming details, visit the school's website at dcbilingual.org or call 202-750-6674.