Friendship PCS - Woodridge Middle

At a Glance

Friendship PCS - Woodridge Middle is a public charter school serving students in grades 4 through 8 in the Woodridge neighborhood of Ward 5. Located on Carlton Avenue NE, the school operates as part of the Friendship Public Charter School network and offers an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum combined with Pre-AP coursework designed to prepare middle schoolers for high school success.

The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning through its IB program, where students explore both local and global perspectives while building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and world languages. The grade configuration spans upper elementary through middle school, allowing students to progress through a continuous educational pathway that bridges elementary concepts with more rigorous middle school academic challenges.

What Parents Should Know

As a public charter school, Friendship PCS - Woodridge Middle participates in the My School DC lottery system for student enrollment. Families interested in applying should submit their application through the centralized lottery during the annual application window. The school offers Equitable Access as a lottery preference for applicants, which can increase admission chances for eligible families based on specific criteria established by the lottery system.

The grade 4-8 configuration means students can potentially stay at Woodridge Middle for five years, from upper elementary through the end of middle school. This extended timeframe allows for continuity in the IB program and helps students build lasting relationships with teachers and peers. Families should consider the transition points—students entering in fourth grade experience a different pathway than those joining in sixth grade, and all students will need to transition to a high school after eighth grade.

The school's location in the Woodridge neighborhood of Ward 5 places it in a primarily residential area of Northeast DC. Families should research transportation options, as charter schools do not always provide the same bus services as traditional neighborhood DCPS schools, though many charter networks arrange transportation support.

The curriculum combines International Baccalaureate methodology with Pre-AP coursework, meaning students engage with challenging material designed to prepare them for Advanced Placement classes in high school. This includes specific courses like Algebra and World History offered at the middle school level, which can give students a head start on high school requirements.

Programs and Approach

The International Baccalaureate program at Woodridge Middle focuses on developing students who take ownership of their learning through asking substantive questions and engaging in collaborative projects. Students participate in continuous world language study and cultural exploration as core components of their education. The school describes itself as fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love for learning through hands-on experiences and inquiry-based instruction.

The curriculum integrates Science of Reading and Math programs alongside IB's inquiry framework, creating a blend of structured skill-building and exploratory learning. Small-group instruction allows teachers to differentiate for student needs. Students work on reflection from their first days at the school, building habits that support academic growth over time.

The Pre-AP coursework in subjects like Algebra and World History represents a significant component of the middle school experience, preparing students for the rigor they'll encounter in high school honors and AP classes. The school also mentions capstone travel abroad opportunities that help students connect classroom learning to real-world global contexts, though families should inquire about specifics, costs, and participation requirements.

Extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to develop interests beyond the academic day, though specific offerings may vary by year. As with all charter schools, enrollment is open to any DC resident regardless of address, making it an option for families throughout the city.

Visiting and Contact

Friendship PCS - Woodridge Middle is located at 2959 Carlton Avenue NE in the Woodridge neighborhood. Families can visit https://www.friendshipschools.org or call 202-635-6500 to learn about tour opportunities, application deadlines, and current programming details.