Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - Calle Ocho Campus

At a Glance

Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - Calle Ocho Campus is a public charter school in Ward 5, serving students from PK3 through 5th grade. The campus operates out of two nearby buildings at 4401 8th Street NE and 817 Varnum Street NE, in the Truxton Circle area of Northeast DC. As one of two Mundo Verde campuses in the city, Calle Ocho continues the network's focus on dual-language instruction, hands-on learning, and environmental sustainability.

The school is a fit for families looking for a tuition-free bilingual (English/Spanish) elementary experience grounded in a "green" school philosophy. Because it is a public charter, it is open to all DC residents regardless of neighborhood boundary, with admission handled through the citywide lottery.

What Parents Should Know

• Enrollment is by lottery. Like all DC public charter schools, Mundo Verde admits students through the My School DC common lottery. Families apply each year for PK3 entry (the largest entry point) or for available seats in higher grades. There is no neighborhood preference, though sibling preference typically applies.
• Grade configuration runs PK3–5. This is a full early-childhood-through-elementary program, meaning a child who enters in PK3 or PK4 can stay through 5th grade without changing schools. After 5th grade, families will need to plan a middle school transition through the lottery or another option.
• Two-building campus. Calle Ocho operates across 4401 8th Street NE and 817 Varnum Street NE. Parents touring should confirm which building serves their child's grade, as classrooms are split between the two locations in the same Truxton Circle/Brookland-adjacent area.
• Bilingual immersion from age 3. Spanish-English instruction begins in the earliest grades, so families should expect their child to be learning in both languages from day one — regardless of the language spoken at home.
• Uniforms are required, and the school typically offers extended-day programming. Confirm current schedules and aftercare details directly with the school.

Programs and Approach

Mundo Verde describes itself as Washington D.C.'s first "green" public charter school, with three core pillars: bilingualism, hands-on learning, and sustainability. The academic model integrates Spanish-English dual-language instruction with project-based work and an emphasis on environmental stewardship.

Because Mundo Verde is a DC public charter, there is no tuition and no entrance test. Families apply through My School DC, the common lottery used by all DCPS and public charter schools in the District. Applications usually open in the winter, with results released in the spring for the following school year. Families new to the lottery process should plan to rank Mundo Verde alongside any other schools of interest on a single application.

For specific curriculum details, current calendars, or how the dual-language model unfolds across grade levels, the school's website is the most reliable source.

Visiting and Contact

Address: 4401 8th Street NE & 817 Varnum Street NE, Washington, DC (Ward 5, Truxton Circle area) Phone: (202) 750-7060 Website: http://www.mundoverdepcs.org/

Visit the school's website for tour schedules, open house dates, lottery information, and the most current details about programs and enrollment.