McKinley Technology High School

At a Glance

McKinley Technology High School is a DC Public Schools (DCPS) high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located at 151 T Street NE in the Eckington neighborhood of Ward 5, the campus sits in a residential pocket of Northeast DC that's accessible to families from across the city via the NoMa-Gallaudet and Rhode Island Avenue Metro stations.

As a STEM-focused public high school, McKinley Tech serves DC families looking for a comprehensive four-year program with a clear technical and college-preparatory orientation. It is one of the city's citywide DCPS high school options, which means it draws students from neighborhoods throughout the District rather than from a single in-boundary zone.

What Parents Should Know

A few things DC families typically want to confirm before applying:

• Citywide application. McKinley Tech is a citywide DCPS high school, so admission is not tied to your home address. Families apply through the My School DC common application during the annual lottery window.
• NAF Academies structure. The school describes itself as offering "wall-to-wall" NAF Academies in Engineering, Biotechnology, and Information Technology. In practice, that means students choose an academy pathway as part of their high school experience rather than following a single general track.
• Grade configuration. As a 9–12 school, McKinley Tech is the typical landing spot after a DCPS or charter middle school. Rising 9th graders going through the lottery are the largest entry point, though transfer seats can open in later grades.
• Recognition. The school was named a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School, a federal recognition program. It's worth understanding what that designation reflects when comparing schools.
• Location and commute. Eckington is bordered by NoMa, Bloomingdale, and Edgewood. The site is walkable from the NoMa-Gallaudet Red Line station and served by several Metrobus routes, which matters for a school that pulls students citywide.

Programs and Approach

McKinley Tech's stated focus is on academic rigor, college preparation, STEM, extracurricular involvement, and real-world experience, with the goal of preparing students for postsecondary pathways. The three NAF academy themes — Engineering, Biotechnology, and Information Technology — frame the school's identity and shape the elective offerings students can pursue alongside standard DCPS graduation requirements.

Enrollment runs through My School DC, the common lottery used by all DCPS-citywide and public charter schools. Families create an account, rank their school choices, and submit by the published deadline (typically in late winter or early spring). Lottery results are released in the spring, and families then accept seats and complete DCPS enrollment paperwork directly with the school. Because McKinley is a citywide option, there is no in-boundary preference, though sibling preference and other standard lottery rules apply.

For current course catalogs, academy details, athletics, application timelines, and open house dates, the school's website is the most reliable source.

Visiting and Contact

Address: 151 T Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 (Eckington, Ward 5) Phone: 202-281-3950 Website: https://mckinleytech.org/

Prospective families should check the school's website for tour sign-ups, open house events, and the most up-to-date information on programs and admissions.