Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary

At a Glance

Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary is a public charter school serving students from PK3 through 3rd grade. It sits on Potomac Avenue SE in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, part of Ward 6, putting it within reach of families across the eastern half of the District. As part of the Friendship Public Charter School network, Chamberlain operates independently of DCPS while remaining tuition-free and open to all DC residents through the city's unified lottery.

The school's early-childhood focus and elementary grade span make it a natural fit for families looking for a single neighborhood school to anchor their child's earliest years. With grades capped at 3rd, families should plan ahead for the transition to a 4th-grade option, often within the broader Friendship network or another DC school.

What Parents Should Know

A few things worth knowing if you're considering Chamberlain:

• Admissions run through My School DC. As a charter, Chamberlain does not have a neighborhood boundary. All seats — including the popular PK3 and PK4 spots — are filled through the citywide My School DC lottery, which typically opens in the winter for the following school year.
• Early grades fill up fastest. Pre-K is one of the most competitive entry points across DC charters, and getting in at PK3 or PK4 is often easier than entering at K or above, where openings depend on attrition.
• The grade configuration ends at 3rd. Families should be ready to apply again through My School DC for a 4th-grade seat. Friendship operates other campuses serving older grades, but enrollment at one Friendship school does not guarantee a seat at another (though sibling preference and certain network policies may apply — confirm with the school).
• The Capitol Hill/Ward 6 location is accessible by car and Metro, with the Potomac Avenue station nearby on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. Before- and after-care logistics matter at this age, so ask about hours during your tour.
• Charter schools post performance data publicly. Families can look up Chamberlain's DC School Report Card for current accountability information, attendance, and academic results rather than relying on marketing materials.

Programs and Approach

Chamberlain describes its approach as inquiry-based and hands-on in the early years, with literacy, numeracy, world language exposure, and creative problem-solving built into the preschool experience through art, literature, and time spent in nature. In kindergarten through 3rd grade, instruction is anchored in Science of Reading practices and a structured math program, with students also using the school's Innovation Lab. The stated long-term goal is to prepare students for advanced coursework, including Pre-AP classes and Algebra, in middle school.

Because Chamberlain is a DC public charter, enrollment is free for District residents and handled entirely through the My School DC common lottery at myschooldc.org. There is no entrance exam or application essay for elementary grades; families rank their school choices, and matches are made through the lottery process.

Visiting and Contact

Chamberlain is located at 1345 Potomac Avenue SE, in the Capitol Hill area of Ward 6. For tour schedules, open house dates, lottery deadlines, and current school-day hours, visit the Friendship Public Charter Schools website at https://www.friendshipschools.org or call the school directly at 202-547-5800.