December 8, 2022

Enrollment season officially begins

From the Chancellor

This message was sent to DCPS families from Chancellor Ferebee on December 8, 2022.

Dear DCPS Families,

With the 2022 calendar year ending soon, it’s time to start planning for the upcoming 2023-2024 School Year. This winter is the best time to learn more about where your student will attend school next year. Whether you will continue to attend your neighborhood school or apply for a seat through the My School DC lottery, we are glad you are part of the DC Public Schools community.

Here are four things you need to know to plan for the 2023-2024 School Year:

  1. Learn About DCPS Schools – Enrolldcps.dc.gov is your online hub for information about enrolling in our schools. The 2023-2024 Parent Guide is now online. Use this guide to learn about the variety of programs offered at DCPS and the great options for your student, starting with your in-boundary and feeder school. From high-quality prekindergarten to college and career readiness opportunities, you can find it at DCPS! Click here to read the parent guide and other enrollment resources.
  2. RSVP for the 2022 Virtual EdFEST – On Saturday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m., families can chat directly with school representatives and learn about the My School DC public school lottery – all from their phone, computer, or tablet. Click this link to RSVP and learn more.
  3. Attend a DCPS Open House — Throughout the winter and spring, schools host in-person and virtual open house events so families can learn more about the exciting things happening at our schools. Click here to see a schedule of open houses and to contact a school for more information.
  4. Mark Your Calendars — Key deadlines for enrolling your student for the 2023-2024 School Year are:

This year, we welcomed more than 50,000 students from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th Grade. DCPS provides high-quality education to District families, and as we continue to grow, we will make sure every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to succeed in all facets of life. These preliminary enrollment numbers are positive indicators for our school communities as we rebound from the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented the last few years.

Thank you again for choosing DCPS, and continue reading for a snapshot of what is happening in our schools this month.

In Partnership,

Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D.  
Chancellor  

New Elementary School Report Cards 
Success in school starts with understanding student strengths. New for this year, elementary school students in Grades K-5 will now see a dedicated section on report cards about where they are strong in their social-emotional learning. This is a new feature, alongside a simplified grading scale and assessment information that is updated throughout the school year. Check out this short video about the new elementary report card design and be sure to share with your networks!
DCPS In the News
WTOP News reports on how tutoring in math and English Language Arts at Eliot-Hine Middle School is accelerating learning for students, especially thanks to a partnership with George Washington University. The Washington Post writes about the tentative teacher contract agreement reached between DCPS and the Washington Teachers’ Union. The negotiation process has wide-ranging effects on not just leadership and teachers, but on our students and the communities in which we live.The Washington Informer talks to high school students participating in the Becoming a Man (BAM) program, a partnership between DCPS and JPMorgan Chase. BAM helps young men of color forge local pathways to graduation and post-secondary success.
Students Visit the White House 🇺🇲
DCPS students were in the front row at the White House for two exciting events recently.
Students from Brookland Middle School attended the annual turkey pardoning on November 21, and even received a special shout out from President Biden: “The students were invited to come a couple years ago but couldn’t join because of COVID. We’re glad you’re here. Thank you very, very much for coming.”
Students studying French from Jackson-Reed and School Without Walls high schools said, “bonjour,” to French President Emmanuel Macron at an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, on December 1.