Nalle Elementary School

At a Glance

Nalle Elementary School, officially known as JC Nalle Community School, is a DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary serving students from PK3 through 5th grade. The school sits at 219 50th Street SE in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Ward 7, one of the easternmost parts of the District.

As a neighborhood DCPS elementary, Nalle serves families living in its in-boundary zone while also accepting out-of-boundary students through the citywide lottery. The PK3–5 grade span means the school can be a child's full early-childhood and elementary home, with one transition to middle school after 5th grade.

What Parents Should Know

A few practical points for DC families considering Nalle:

• It's a community school. Nalle partners with the National Center for Children and Families to provide wrap-around supports for students and families. In practice, "community school" generally means the building serves as a hub for services beyond the classroom day, with the goal of addressing needs that affect learning.
• There's a Montessori program on site. Nalle offers a Montessori track in addition to traditional classrooms, giving families a choice of learning environment within the same school. Montessori seats in DCPS are typically in high demand, so families interested in this option should look closely at how seats are assigned.
• Pre-K matters here. With PK3 and PK4 classrooms, Nalle is an entry point into DCPS for families with young children. Pre-K seats across DCPS are competitive and go through the citywide lottery.
• Location and ward. Lincoln Heights is in Ward 7, east of the Anacostia River. Families should plan for transportation based on their home address, since not every part of Ward 7 is walking distance to the school.
• One transition before middle school. Because Nalle ends at 5th grade, families will need to apply or enroll in a middle school option for 6th grade — another lottery moment to plan for.

Programs and Approach

Nalle's stated focus is on high expectations for both academic and social growth, with the goal of graduating students who show integrity and responsibility. The school describes itself as committed to helping students reach their full potential through a mix of strong classroom instruction and the wrap-around supports that come with the community school model.

The Montessori program gives families a non-traditional option within a neighborhood DCPS setting — Montessori classrooms generally emphasize mixed-age groupings, hands-on materials, and student-directed work within structured routines.

As with all DCPS schools, enrollment works two ways. Families who live in-boundary can enroll directly by submitting DCPS enrollment paperwork and proof of DC residency. Families who live outside the boundary, or who want a specific program like Pre-K or Montessori, apply through the My School DC common lottery (myschooldc.org), which opens annually in the winter. Parents should also be prepared to use the Aspen Parent Portal for re-enrollment forms each year.

Visiting and Contact

Nalle Elementary is located at 219 50th Street SE, Washington, DC, in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Ward 7. The main office can be reached at 202-671-6280. For tour dates, current enrollment deadlines, staff contacts, and program details, visit the school's website at https://www.jcnalle.org/.