Friendship PCS - Woodridge Elementary

At a Glance

Friendship Public Charter School - Woodridge Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through third grade in Northeast DC's Woodridge neighborhood. As an International Baccalaureate school, it combines the IB Primary Years Programme framework with structured literacy and math instruction, aiming to build foundational academic skills alongside critical thinking and global awareness.

The school is part of the Friendship Public Charter School network and operates as a public charter, meaning it's tuition-free and open to all DC residents through the citywide lottery system. Families looking for early childhood education through elementary school will need to plan for a transition after third grade, as students move on to other campuses or schools for fourth grade and beyond.

What Parents Should Know

Friendship Woodridge Elementary enrolls students through the My School DC common lottery, which opens each fall for the following school year. The school offers an Equitable Access preference during the lottery, designed to support families who meet certain criteria—details about eligibility are available through the My School DC platform and the school's enrollment office.

The grade configuration here stops at third grade, so families should think ahead about where their child will attend fourth grade and beyond. Some Friendship campuses serve older grades, and families often plan transitions within the network, though students can also apply to other DC public or charter schools through the lottery.

Because the school includes pre-K starting at age three, it's an option for families seeking early childhood programs. Pre-kindergarten classes focus on building early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills in a play-based, exploratory environment, aligned with the IB framework's emphasis on inquiry and hands-on learning.

The Woodridge neighborhood in Ward 5 is a residential area in Northeast DC, accessible by bus and within reach of the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station. Families considering the school should factor in commute logistics, especially if traveling from other parts of the city.

Programs and Approach

The school's curriculum centers on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, which uses inquiry-based units of study to help young learners explore concepts across subject areas. According to the school's mission, students engage in hands-on learning that fosters curiosity and confidence, with an emphasis on building literacy and numeracy skills in joyful, developmentally appropriate ways.

In kindergarten through third grade, the school integrates Science of Reading principles into its literacy instruction, a structured approach that emphasizes phonics, phonemic awareness, and evidence-based reading strategies. The math program similarly aims to build strong foundational skills, with small-group instruction tailored to meet students where they are academically.

The school describes its approach as preparing students for more rigorous middle school coursework, including Pre-AP classes like Algebra and World History. This forward-looking focus suggests an emphasis on building both academic habits and content knowledge during the elementary years.

World language instruction is part of the program across grade levels, and the school incorporates cultural exploration, literature, art, and field trips into its broader curriculum. The IB framework encourages students to think globally and consider perspectives beyond their immediate community, even at a young age.

As a public charter school, Friendship Woodridge Elementary is free to attend and does not charge tuition. Like all DC charter schools, it operates independently but is publicly funded and accountable to the DC Public Charter School Board. Families interested in enrollment should apply during the My School DC lottery window, typically in the fall, and can list Friendship Woodridge among their choices.

Visiting and Contact

Friendship Public Charter School - Woodridge Elementary is located at 2959 Carlton Avenue NE in the Woodridge neighborhood of Ward 5. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling a tour, or accessing current enrollment information should visit the school's website at friendshipschools.org or call 202-635-6500.