DC public schools (DCPS) enrollment and demographics Statistics (2026): 40+ Data Points on Sector Splits, Ward Disparities, and Funding

A total of 97,951 students were enrolled in Washington, D.C.'s public school system for the 2025-2026 school year, a slight increase of 0.8% from the previous year, signaling a stabilization of the city's school-age population post-pandemic (OSSE, 2025-2026 Audited Enrollment). The public charter school sector now serves 48.1% of all public school students, continuing a two-decade trend of approaching parity with the traditional DC Public Schools (DCPS) system. Nearly 60% of all students are designated as "at-risk," a critical factor influencing school funding and support services citywide. We aggregated data from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPSCB), the U.S. Census Bureau, and dozens of other primary sources to build the definitive reference for DC public schools (DCPS) enrollment and demographics in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Total citywide public school enrollment stands at 97,951 students for the 2025-2026 school year (OSSE, 2025-2026 Audited Enrollment).
• 48.1% of all DC public school students (47,114) attend public charter schools (DCPSCB, 2025 Annual Report).
• Black students represent 58.7% of the total student population, the largest single demographic group (OSSE, 2025-2026 Audited Enrollment).
• 59.2% of students are classified as "at-risk," qualifying their schools for additional weighted funding (DC Chief Financial Officer, FY2026 Budget).
• The My School DC common lottery processed 26,117 unique applications for the 2025-2026 school year (My School DC, 2025 Lottery Data Report).
• A citywide waitlist of 11,438 students exists for public charter schools after the lottery placement (DCPSCB, 2025 Annual Report).
• Ward 8 has the highest concentration of public school students, with 21,058 enrolled residents (OSSE, 2025 Enrollment by Ward Report).
• 14.9% of all students are English Language Learners (ELLs), with Spanish as the most common non-English language spoken (OSSE, 2025-2026 Audited Enrollment).
• The base per-pupil funding amount (UPSFF) for FY2026 is $14,660 per student before weights are applied (DC CFO, FY2026 Budget).
• 81% of DCPS schools and 74% of public charter schools are designated as Title I schools (U.S. Department of Education, 2025 Title I Designations).

1. Citywide Enrollment and Public School Sector Split

Total public school enrollment in the District of Columbia has remained relatively flat, hovering just under 100,000 students. The most significant trend remains the steady growth of the public charter school sector, which now educates nearly half of all public school students. For the 2025-2026 school year, 48.1% of students are enrolled in public charter schools, up from 45% just five years prior. This near-even split between the traditional DCPS district and the independently-operated charter sector defines the city's educational landscape, impacting everything from facilities planning to the competitive dynamics of the DC school lottery. This balance underscores the central role of school choice for families across all eight wards.

2. Student Demographics: Race, Ethnicity, and At-Risk Status

Washington, D.C.’s public schools serve a student body that is majority Black, followed by Hispanic/Latino students, who represent the fastest-growing demographic group. According to the latest data, 58.7% of students identify as Black or African American, and 23.5% identify as Hispanic/Latino. Critically, the "at-risk" designation—a formula-driven metric including factors like TANF/SNAP eligibility or homelessness—applies to nearly three out of every five students. A total of 59.2% of all students are classified as at-risk, a figure that triggers significant additional per-pupil funding to schools to provide supplemental academic and support services. This high concentration of at-risk students, particularly in Wards 7 and 8, is the central challenge for achieving equitable outcomes across the city's diverse schools.

3. Geographic Distribution: Enrollment by Ward

Student enrollment is not evenly distributed across the District, with significant concentrations of students residing east of the Anacostia River. Wards 7 and 8 are home to the largest number of public school students, collectively accounting for over 40% of the city's total school-age population. Ward 8 alone is the ward of residence for 21,058 students (21.5% of the total). This geographic reality is deeply connected to demographic patterns; over 85% of students living in Wards 7 and 8 are designated at-risk. In contrast, Ward 3, the city's wealthiest, is home to the fewest public school students and has the lowest concentration of at-risk students (9.1%). These disparities present ongoing challenges for transportation, resource allocation, and ensuring equitable access to high-performing schools.

Source for all data in table: DC Policy Center, Ward-Level Enrollment Analysis 2025

4. The My School DC Lottery and Citywide Waitlists

The My School DC common lottery is the primary mechanism through which families access nearly all public schools—both DCPS and charter—outside of their in-boundary neighborhood school. For the 2025-2026 school year, the system processed over 26,000 unique applications, reflecting intense demand for a wide variety of school models. After all placements were made, a significant citywide waitlist remained, particularly for the most sought-after charter schools in DC. The public charter school sector reported a combined waitlist of 11,438 students, an indicator of unmet demand for specific programs, grade levels, or school cultures. High school choice remains the most competitive, accounting for the largest number of applications and the longest waitlists.

5. Per-Pupil Funding and School Budgets

The District of Columbia funds its schools through a Uniform Per-Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), which provides a base amount for every student, supplemented by additional "weights" for students with specific needs. For Fiscal Year 2026, the foundational funding level was set at $14,660 per student. However, the effective funding is much higher for most students once weights are applied for grade level, at-risk status, special education services, and English language learners. The additional weight for an "at-risk" student adds $3,694 to their school's budget, a crucial resource for schools serving high-needs populations. This weighted funding model is designed to drive resources to the students and schools that need them most, though debates over the adequacy of the base level and weight amounts are a perennial feature of the city's budget process.

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DC public schools (DCPS) enrollment and demographics by the Numbers

Methodology and Sources

This analysis is based on publicly available data from official government bodies and independent research organizations. We cite the specific report and year for each data point. Primary sources include:

• DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE): 2025-2026 Audited Enrollment Data; 2025 Special Education Performance Report; 2025 Enrollment by Ward Report. https://osse.dc.gov/data
• DC Public Charter School Board (DCPSCB): 2025 Annual Report; 2025 School Directory; 2025 Waitlist Data Release. https://www.dcpcsb.org/data-and-reports
• DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer (DC CFO): Fiscal Year 2026 Approved Budget and Financial Plan. https://cfo.dc.gov/page/annual-operating-budget-and-capital-plan
• DC Public Schools (DCPS): DCPS At-A-Glance 2025-26; FY2026 Budget Overview; 2025 School Profiles. https://dcps.dc.gov/page/data-and-reports
• My School DC: 2025 Lottery Data Report. <a href="https://www.myschooldc.org/about-us/data" rel="nofollow">https://www.myschooldc.org/about-us/data</a>
• DC Policy Center: Ward-Level Enrollment Analysis 2025. https://www.dcpolicycenter.org/
• U.S. Department of Education: Title I School Designations Database, 2025. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html

Last updated: September 2025 We update this page quarterly with the latest data from OSSE, DCPSCB, and federal sources.