Washington Global Public Charter School

At a Glance

Washington Global Public Charter School is a public charter middle school serving grades 6 through 8 in Southwest DC. Located on School Street SW in Ward 6, the campus sits in the Southwest Federal Center area, within walking distance of the National Mall, the Wharf, and several Metro stops.

As a charter school, Washington Global is tuition-free and open to any middle school student in the District through the citywide lottery. The school describes its program as an internationally-focused, college-preparatory curriculum, and it was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School in 2023.

What Parents Should Know

A few things tend to matter most to families considering Washington Global:

• Grade span and transitions. The school covers the full middle school stretch (6–8), which means a student who enrolls in sixth grade can stay through eighth without an extra school change mid-way. Families will, however, need to plan separately for high school, since Washington Global does not continue past eighth grade.
• Enrollment is by lottery, not by address. Because it is a public charter, there is no in-boundary guarantee. Any DC resident in the eligible grades can apply, and seats are assigned through My School DC.
• Languages offered. The school lists foreign language instruction in both Spanish and Korean — a less common combination among DC middle schools and something worth asking about during a tour.
• Before and after school care is free. Per the school, wraparound care is included at no additional cost, which can be a meaningful factor for working families comparing programs.
• Location. The Southwest Federal Center neighborhood is well-served by transit (Metro and bus), and the area around the school has continued to develop with the Wharf and nearby federal campuses, so commuting from elsewhere in the city is generally manageable.

Programs and Approach

Washington Global describes its academic program as rigorous and internationally-based, with small classes and a college-prep orientation. Stated program elements include STEM instruction, service-learning, and the Spanish and Korean language offerings noted above. The 2023 National Blue Ribbon recognition from the U.S. Department of Education is a federal honor given to schools for academic performance or for progress in closing achievement gaps.

Because Washington Global is a public charter school, admission is handled through the My School DC common lottery (myschooldc.org). Families create one application, rank Washington Global along with any other DC public or charter schools they are considering, and submit by the annual deadline — typically in the late winter for the following school year. There is no test or application fee to enter the lottery, and DC residency is required. Students who are not offered a seat initially are placed on a waitlist in lottery order.

For specifics on curriculum, daily schedule, uniform policy, supports for students with IEPs or English learners, and transportation, families should contact the school directly or attend an open house. Those details can shift year to year, so it is worth confirming current information rather than relying on older write-ups.

Visiting and Contact

Washington Global Public Charter School is located at 525 School Street SW, in the Southwest Federal Center neighborhood of Ward 6. The main phone number is 202-796-2415. For tour dates, open houses, application timelines, and the most current program information, visit the school's website at washingtonglobal.org.