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Deal Middle School

publicWard 3

Chevy Chase · Grades 6–8

What the data shows

Deal Middle School · 5-star OSSE rating · Open enrollment · 4 photos. Student body: 48% white, 19% blackafrican-american.

2026–27 enrollment openGet lottery alerts:

OSSE STAR Rating

SY 2018-19
5 / 5 stars · Score 88.2 / 100
Enrollment: 1,524

Source: OSSE School Report Card — official rating from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

About Deal Middle School

Alice Deal Middle School is the #1 ranked DCPS middle school in Washington DC (U.S. News & World Report), enrolling about 1,420 students in grades 6–8 at 3815 Fort Drive NW in Chevy Chase, Ward 3. Most parents and students refer to the school simply as "Deal." Mascot: the Vikings.

IB Middle Years Programme

Deal is an authorized International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB-MYP) school — one of only a handful of DCPS schools running the IB-MYP framework. The MYP shapes academics across all subjects, pushing students toward interdisciplinary thinking and a personal project in 8th grade. It also positions Deal as a natural feeder into IB high school programs.

Rankings and reputation

Niche and U.S. News consistently place Deal at the top of the DC middle-school field — both public and charter — based on test performance, parent reviews, and college-readiness signals from feeder data. The school is large by DCPS standards (1,420 vs. typical 400–600), which lets it offer a deeper menu of electives and athletics than most middle schools.

Programs and electives

Beyond the IB-MYP core, Deal runs:

  • JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps)
  • Restorative Justice Program for school discipline
  • Competitive interscholastic athletics across fall, winter, and spring seasons (soccer, cross country, archery, basketball, wrestling, track, lacrosse, baseball, and more)
  • A nationally competitive chess program (DC-area middle school chess champions)

Feeder pathway

Deal is the DCPS feeder middle school for Jackson-Reed High School — the largest and most-applied-to DCPS high school. The in-boundary pipeline runs Lafayette / Janney / Murch / Eaton / Hyde-AddisonDeal → Jackson-Reed. Families who stay on this in-boundary track move from PK3 through 12th grade without re-entering the lottery.

Admissions and lottery

In-boundary Ward 3 families (and feeder-elementary graduates) are guaranteed a seat. Out-of-boundary applicants apply via My School DC before the late-January deadline; Deal is one of the most-applied-to middle schools in DC and out-of-boundary admit rates are low.

Enrollment and demographics

Current enrollment: 48% white non-Hispanic, 19% Black/African-American, 18% Hispanic/Latino, 9% multiracial, 5% Asian, with small Native American and Pacific Islander populations. More diverse than the in-boundary Ward 3 elementary feeders, reflecting the IB-MYP draw from across the city.

Contact and resources

Compare other DCPS middle schools on our middle schools in DC directory.

Alice Deal Middle School combines a rigorous academic program with the nurturing environment of a neighborhood school. Located in the heart of northwest DC, the Deal Middle School campus includes the original historic Deal building, modernized to meet the needs of a blended learning environment, merged with new construction to meet the needs of a robust middle school community.

Specialized Programs

International BaccalaureateJROTCRestorative Justice Program

Enrichment

French · Mandarin · Chinese · National History Day · Debate/Forensics · MathCounts · Robotics

🕐 8:45 a.m.-3:15 p.m.👔 Uniform not required

Address

3815 FORT DRIVE NW

Enrollment Lottery

Not required

🚌

Free transit for students

All DC residents enrolled at Deal Middle School (ages 5–21) qualify for Kids Ride Free — a SmarTrip card that grants free Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator rides on school days.

School Hours

From Google business listing — confirm with the school directly.

  • Monday8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
  • Tuesday8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
  • Wednesday8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
  • Thursday8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
  • Friday8:45 AM to 3:15 PM
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed

Specialties

International BaccalaureateJROTCRestorative Justice Program

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Frequently Asked Questions

What grades does Deal Middle School serve?+

Deal Middle School serves grades 6–8 in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington DC.

What ward is Deal Middle School in?+

Deal Middle School is located in Ward 3, Chevy Chase, Washington DC.

How do I apply to Deal Middle School?+

Deal Middle School is DCPS (DC Public Schools). Contact the school directly for enrollment and seat availability.

What is Deal Middle School's OSSE star rating?+

Deal Middle School received a 5/5 star rating (★★★★★) from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in SY 2018-19. OSSE ratings measure academic achievement, growth, and attendance.

Is Deal Middle School tuition-free?+

Yes. As a DC public school, Deal Middle School is tuition-free and open to all DC residents regardless of ward or neighborhood.

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