John R. Thompson Jr. High School (Formerly MacArthur HS)

At a Glance

John R. Thompson Jr. High School opened in August 2023 as DC Public Schools' newest comprehensive high school, serving students in grades 9-12. Located at 4530 MacArthur Boulevard NW in the Foxhall Village neighborhood of Ward 3, the school was formerly known as MacArthur High School before being renamed to honor the legendary Georgetown basketball coach. As a neighborhood high school, John Thompson HS serves the diverse interests and needs of students in Ward 3 and throughout the city, welcoming its founding cohorts into a school shaped by community input and student interest.

What Parents Should Know

John Thompson HS is a DCPS public school, which means admission is handled through the My School DC lottery system rather than direct enrollment. The school offers Equitable Access designated seats in the lottery, a provision designed to increase educational opportunities for students who qualify based on specific criteria such as being at-risk, experiencing homelessness, or being in foster care. Families interested in applying should submit their applications during the My School DC lottery window, typically held in the winter and spring for the following school year.

As one of the newest schools in the DCPS system, John Thompson HS is still in its founding years, building its culture and programs alongside its initial student cohorts. This means families enrolling now have an unusual opportunity to help shape the school's identity and traditions from the ground up. The school's comprehensive model serves all four high school grades (9-12), so students who enroll as freshmen can complete their entire high school career at the same campus without transitioning to another building.

The Foxhall Village location in Ward 3 places the school in the northwestern section of the city, an area that may require transportation planning for families living in other parts of DC. Parents should investigate Metro bus routes and consider commute times when weighing this option against other high schools.

Programs and Approach

John Thompson HS operates as a comprehensive neighborhood high school, meaning it's designed to serve a wide range of student interests and academic goals rather than focusing on a single theme or specialization. According to the school's mission, students have access to rigorous academics, Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, arts programming, and various athletic and club options. This multi-faceted approach reflects the community feedback that shaped the school's planning and aims to accommodate the diverse interests of Ward 3 students and those from across the city.

The school's founding model emphasizes that its programs and offerings are being shaped by the interests of its first student cohorts, suggesting an evolving and responsive approach to program development. As a DCPS school, John Thompson HS follows the district's academic standards and graduation requirements while developing its own distinctive culture and program offerings.

Enrollment at John Thompson HS, like all DCPS and public charter schools in Washington DC, is managed through the My School DC common lottery system. Families create one application that can include multiple school choices ranked in order of preference. The lottery runs annually, with results typically released in spring. Families new to DC or who miss the main lottery window can apply through the same system during late enrollment periods throughout the year, though seat availability may be more limited.

Visiting and Contact

John R. Thompson Jr. High School is located at 4530 MacArthur Boulevard NW in the Foxhall Village neighborhood of Ward 3. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling tours, or finding current enrollment information should visit the school's website at dcps.dc.gov/macarthur or call 202-299-5506.