DRUMROLL PLEASE:
Now Enrolling
School Year
2025-2026
From joyful Pre-K classrooms to our dedicated high school placement program, DC Prep prepares your child for life.
Why DC Prep?
Our schools are joyful, safe, and nurturing learning environments with individualized support for every student. Delivering decades of the strongest academic outcomes in DC, we are the tuition-free public charter schools that prepare every child for an academically and socially successful future. Our all-time high school graduation rate is 95% (the citywide rate is 76%).
More than $13 million in high school scholarships have been awarded to DC Prep alumni, who graduate college at five times the rate of their peers.
PK3 & PK4
- To thrive in kindergarten, your 3- and 4-year-olds will master foundational reading and math skills as they develop independence, curiosity, and focus.
- Each classroom has a lead and assistant teacher.
- Targeted support plans help each child grow
and develop. - Ongoing home-and-school communication tracks the progress of expectations and aspirations for your child. Daily communication via our “Prep Notes” keeps you informed about your child’s day and the progress they are making.
- School day includes morning community meeting, guided literacy and numeracy, and centers including dramatic play and sensory exploration.
- Students have two recesses and a nap each day.
Elementary (Kindergarten–3rd grade)
- Students master foundational reading and math skills while developing the independence, curiosity, and focus to thrive in middle school and beyond.
- Homeroom-based instruction grades K-2; departmentalized instruction begins in 3rd grade.
- Students start the day focused on connection and social-emotional learning in their homeroom.
- Monthly school-wide Community Meetings.
- Common Core-aligned curriculum grounded in reading, math and science.
- Ongoing home-and-school communication tracks the progress of expectations and aspirations for your child.
Middle (4th–8th grade)
- Students build skills and confidence as they take on more challenging work and learn the habits that set them up for success in high school and beyond.
- Targeted, individualized support.
- Frequent communication between students, teachers, and families.
- Algebra for All: middle school curriculum is carefully planned to prepare students to take algebra in 8th grade, which greatly improves students’ preparation for high school.
- High School Placement Program: staff works closely with each student and their family in 7th and 8th grade to place them at their best-fit college-prep high school.
- PrepNext: supports all DC Prep alumni after 8th-grade graduation with a special focus on times of transition—8th to 9th grade, high school to higher education, and school to career. PrepNext offers 10 years of continued educational guidance and support after graduation.
How to Apply
Free and open to all DC residents, DC Prep participates in the My School DC Lottery which takes place every year from December through early March. At the end of March, families are matched with a school. After matching, families must complete enrollment by May 1st to secure their child’s seat for the coming school year.
Missed the lottery deadline? You can still apply by submitting a My School DC Application to be added to our waitlist. DC Prep will offer seats off the waitlist throughout the summer months.
For any questions, feel free to contact us at enrollment@dcprep.org or 202-780-5126. Or, fill out our Enrollment Interest Form.
Tips for a successful application:
- Create 1 account per family, with a separate application for each child.
- Ranking matters – rank DC Prep #1 to increase your chances of being matched.
- DC Prep waitlists are not carried over from year to year. Families must reapply.
- My School DC phone support can assist with all other application questions at the following number: 202-888-6336.
Upcoming Events
Staff & Support
At DC Prep, school leadership is one of our strongest assets. Our principals bring a blend of deep classroom experience, academic leadership, and strong community ties to each campus.
Many began their careers as teachers within DC Prep, growing into leadership roles—like Degarrius Cullum, who started as a PK3 teacher and now leads Benning Elementary, and Janee Easley, who rose from 3rd-grade math teacher to principal at Edgewood Elementary.
Leaders like Desiree Tucker bring years of experience from both inside and outside DC Prep, including teaching in cities like New Orleans, Baltimore, and New York.
Across all campuses, DC Prep principals are known for their student-first mindset, ability to build joyful, safe, and structured school cultures, and commitment to individual student growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Their collective expertise supports DC Prep’s mission: preparing every student to thrive in high school, college, and life.
Aftercare Options at DC Prep Campuses
DC Prep offers after-school options that include extracurricular programs, community partnerships, and aftercare services. Champions provides aftercare on-site daily until 6pm. To explore what’s available for your child and any potential costs, please visit our After-School Programs page.
Ready to Apply and Enroll?
Apply by submitting a My School DC Application to be added to our waitlist.
Interested in enrolling but have some questions or want more information? Fill out our Enrollment Interest form and we’ll get back to you within 2-3 business days.
Enrollment Questions
DC Prep participates in My School DC, a common application for nearly all DC-based public schools. See our full list of enrollment FAQs
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
An educational approach that focuses on developing students' ability to understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. It emphasizes the importance of social and emotional skills in the learning process and aims to equip students with the skills they need for success in school and life.
Key Components of SEL:Self-Management: Regulating emotions, controlling impulses, and setting goals.
Social Awareness: Understanding the perspectives of others and empathizing with them.
Relationship Skills: Building and maintaining healthy relationships.
Responsible Decision-Making: Making ethical and constructive choices.
Benefits of SEL:
Enhanced Mental Health: SEL can help students manage stress, cope with challenges, and develop a positive sense of self.
Stronger Relationships: SEL promotes empathy, respect, and positive interactions with others, leading to better social relationships.
Increased Resilience: SEL helps students develop the skills they need to bounce back from adversity and overcome obstacles.
What is departmentalized instruction?
Departmentalized instruction in elementary and middle schools involves teachers specializing in one or more core subjects and instructing multiple groups of students in a day.
Benefits:Increased Teacher Satisfaction: Assigning teachers to their stronger subjects can boost morale and motivation.
More Time for Subject-Specific Planning: Teachers may have more time to develop in-depth lesson plans and resources.
