KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS

At a Glance

KIPP DC – Promise Academy PCS is a public charter elementary school serving students in Kindergarten through 4th grade. It operates out of the Benning Campus at 4801 Benning Road SE in the Marshall Heights neighborhood of Ward 7, a part of the city east of the Anacostia River. As part of the KIPP DC network, Promise Academy shares a campus with KIPP DC KEY Academy, the middle school where Promise students typically continue after 4th grade.

The school is designed for families looking for a structured elementary experience focused on foundational academic skills, with a stated emphasis on creating a joyful, supportive environment for young learners. Because it is a public charter, it is tuition-free and open to any DC resident through the citywide lottery.

What Parents Should Know

• Enrollment is through the lottery. Like all DC public charter schools, Promise Academy enrolls students through My School DC, the city's common application and lottery system. Families rank their school choices, and seats are assigned through a random process. There is no boundary or neighborhood preference, but siblings of current students typically receive priority.
• The grade configuration ends at 4th grade. Parents should plan ahead for the transition after 4th grade. KIPP DC's pathway sends Promise students onto KEY Academy on the same Benning Campus, which can ease the move to middle school. Families who prefer a different middle school will need to apply separately through the lottery.
• It is part of a larger network. KIPP DC operates multiple campuses across the city. That means shared resources, but it also means the school culture and expectations are aligned with the broader KIPP DC model rather than developed campus by campus.
• Location and access. The Benning Campus sits along Benning Road SE in Marshall Heights. Families traveling from elsewhere in Ward 7 or Ward 8 should consider Metrobus routes along Benning Road and nearby driving access; the school's website is the best source for current transportation details.
• The school states a commitment to college readiness even at the elementary level, framing K–4 as the start of a longer academic pathway.

Programs and Approach

As a DC public charter school, KIPP DC – Promise Academy enrolls students through the My School DC lottery, which opens annually in the winter for the following school year. Families with children entering Pre-K elsewhere in the network or applying for Kindergarten at Promise should watch the My School DC timeline closely, as Kindergarten is typically the largest entry point at this school.

The school's stated focus is on building foundational academic skills alongside what it describes as a sense of joy and belonging. According to information shared by the school, students have access to enrichment activities that have included offerings such as Books and Basketball, cheerleading, chess, dance, poetry, a student choir (Promise Suns), robotics, flag football, and tutoring support. Specific offerings can change year to year, so families should confirm current programs directly with the school.

Visiting and Contact

KIPP DC – Promise Academy PCS is located at 4801 Benning Road SE, in the Marshall Heights neighborhood of Ward 7. For tour schedules, enrollment timelines, and the most current information about programs and staff, visit kippdc.org or call the school at 202-582-1390.