School-Within-School @ Goding

At a Glance

School-Within-School @ Goding is a DC Public School serving students from PK3 through 5th grade. It sits at 920 F Street NE in the Stanton Park neighborhood of Ward 6, putting it within easy reach of families living on Capitol Hill, in NoMa, and in the H Street corridor.

The school describes itself as teacher-directed and Reggio Emilia-inspired, modeled on the early childhood philosophy that originated in Reggio Emilia, Italy. As a small, full PK3-through-5 program, it tends to attract families looking for a collaborative, child-centered environment that follows a single educational philosophy from preschool through the end of elementary school.

What Parents Should Know

A few things stand out for families considering School-Within-School @ Goding:

• It is a DCPS by-right and lottery school, not a charter. Like other DCPS elementary schools, it has an in-boundary attendance zone, but seats outside that zone are filled through the citywide lottery. Because the program is well-known, demand for out-of-boundary seats can be strong, especially at the PK3 entry point.
• PK3 is the main entry door. Since the school runs PK3 through 5, the largest group of new seats opens at PK3. Available spots in later grades depend on attrition, so families applying for kindergarten or above should plan for a waitlist as a real possibility.
• The grade configuration ends at 5th. Families will go through the My School DC lottery again for middle school. It is worth thinking ahead about feeder patterns and middle school options in Ward 6 before committing.
• Location is Stanton Park / near H Street NE. The 920 F Street NE address is a residential pocket north of Stanton Park, walkable from much of Capitol Hill and accessible from the H Street streetcar corridor. Street parking is typical of the neighborhood — manageable, but not abundant during drop-off and pick-up.
• There are school fees to plan for. Like many DCPS elementary schools, SWS has a Student Activity Fee that covers field trips, classroom supplies, and enrichment programming. Current amounts and payment options are posted on the school's site each year.

Programs and Approach

School-Within-School @ Goding's stated mission is to "support and develop potential through a uniquely child-centered, collaborative teaching and learning environment inspired by the philosophy and practice of the Reggio Schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy." In practice, Reggio-inspired classrooms generally emphasize project-based learning, the classroom environment as a "third teacher," documentation of student work, and strong collaboration between teachers, students, and families. The school describes its model as teacher-directed, meaning faculty play a central role in shaping curriculum and school culture.

As a DCPS school, enrollment is handled through My School DC, the city's common lottery for public and public charter schools. Families list their preferred schools in ranked order during the annual lottery window; results are released in the spring, with a waitlist process for schools where demand exceeds available seats. In-boundary families should also confirm enrollment directly with DCPS each year.

Because specific programs, schedules, and staffing change year to year, the school's website is the best source for current details, including any specialist classes, after-school options, and family engagement opportunities.

Visiting and Contact

Address: 920 F Street NE, Washington, DC (Stanton Park, Ward 6) Phone: 202-727-7377 Website: http://schoolwithinschool.org/

For tour schedules, open house dates, enrollment updates, and current school year information, check the school's website directly.