KIPP DC - Heights Academy PCS

At a Glance

KIPP DC - Heights Academy is a public charter elementary school serving students in grades 1 through 4. It sits on the Douglass Campus at 2600 Douglass Road SE in the Hillsdale neighborhood of Ward 8, in the southeastern corner of the District. The school is part of the KIPP DC network, one of the largest charter networks operating in Washington.

As a charter school, Heights Academy is tuition-free and open to any DC resident, with seats filled through the city's common lottery. Its narrow grade band — early elementary only — means the school is built around the foundational years, then hands students off to a connected upper school on the same campus.

What Parents Should Know

• Enrollment is through My School DC. Like all DC charter schools, Heights Academy does not have a neighborhood boundary. Families apply through the citywide My School DC lottery, typically in the winter for the following school year. There is no tuition.
• The grade configuration is unusual. Heights serves grades 1 through 4 only. Families with a rising kindergartner will need to look at other KIPP DC elementary campuses or different schools for that year, and after 4th grade, students transition to a middle school setting.
• There's a built-in next step on the same campus. Heights Academy students move on to KIPP DC AIM Academy, a middle school located on the same Douglass Campus. For families who want continuity, that on-site transition is a real practical benefit — same address, familiar environment, established expectations.
• Location matters. The Douglass Campus is in Hillsdale (Ward 8), east of the Anacostia River. Families coming from elsewhere in the city should plan around commute time and consider whether KIPP DC's busing or carpool options fit their schedule.
• It's part of a larger network. Because Heights is one of several KIPP DC schools, families benefit from network-wide resources, but the school culture, leadership, and day-to-day experience can vary by campus.

Programs and Approach

KIPP DC describes Heights Academy's mission as building foundational academic skills and the mindsets students need to succeed in middle school. The network emphasizes academic excellence, a sense of belonging, strong teachers and school leaders, safe learning environments, and a long-term focus on college readiness — themes that run through all KIPP DC campuses.

Enrollment for any seat at Heights Academy runs through the My School DC common lottery at myschooldc.org. Families rank their school choices, and matches are made each spring. Siblings of currently enrolled students typically receive preference, and any seats not filled in the main round may become available later through a waitlist.

Beyond the core academic day, Heights Academy offers extracurricular options that have included soccer, football, basketball, dance, a theater program through Imagination Stage, a dance program through Capitol Movement, a book club, and Grand Slam School. Specific offerings can shift year to year, so families should confirm the current lineup with the school directly.

Visiting and Contact

KIPP DC - Heights Academy is located at 2600 Douglass Road SE, on the Douglass Campus in the Hillsdale neighborhood of Ward 8. The school can be reached by phone at 202-610-5323. For tour schedules, open house dates, application links, and the most current information on programs and staff, visit the school's page at https://www.kippdc.org/schools/elementary-schools/kipp-dc-heights-academy/.