Washington Schools News
HERE Education covers every school, deadline, and funding opportunity across Washington, D.C.. Use our Right School Right Neighborhood quiz, search the full directory, and track what matters.
Washington, D.C. schools serve families from kindergarten through twelfth grade. HEREWashingtonDC covers every school board meeting, budget cycle, and academic milestone in the area. Coming soon — local district coverage launches when our newsroom partners with your school district.
Higher education options for Washington residents include institutions across the Washington, D.C. region. HEREWashingtonDC will profile local college options as coverage expands.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the state education agency for the District of Columbia and administers the statewide DC CAPE assessments in English language arts, math and science. The D.C. State Board of Education approves state-level regulations and advises OSSE. Public schools include DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools overseen by the DC Public Charter School Board, the District’s sole charter authorizer. My School DC is the common application and common lottery for the District’s public school options. The District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) governs interscholastic athletics.
HEREWashingtonDC tracks school-board meetings across Washington, D.C. — agendas, votes, and budget summaries published before local papers. Our reporters cover graduation rates and DC CAPE results; teacher-contract negotiations; school resource officers; SAT and ACT data; Title I funding allocations; school facilities; and the Friday Night Football calendar. From dual-enrollment windows at local technical colleges to faculty announcements at area universities — if it happens in a Washington classroom or on a Washington, D.C. campus, it is HERE.
D.C. Education Resources
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)
Created by Congress in 1999 to expand higher education choices for college-bound D.C. residents. Recipients attend more than 300 colleges and universities.
Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program
Need-based, last-dollar funding for eligible D.C. residents earning a first associate or bachelor’s degree at select area colleges and universities.
My School DC
The common application and common lottery for the District’s public school options. No application is needed to enroll at a DCPS in-boundary school for grades K-12.
DC Public Charter School Board
Independent D.C. government agency created in 1996 and the sole authorizer of public charter schools in the District; its board meets monthly in public.
DC School Report Card
OSSE’s official school-level data for D.C. public and public charter schools.
UDC Community College
The University of the District of Columbia’s community college offers more than 25 associate degree programs.
Right School. Right Neighborhood. HERE!
Tell us what matters to your family — schools, community feel, budget — and we'll match you to the right Washington neighborhood.
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Tell us about your move
Where should we send your neighborhood match?
We'll email your personalized school & neighborhood report — free, no obligation.
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Your Washington Neighborhood Match
Washington offers a range of neighborhoods that match different school and lifestyle priorities. Connect with a local real estate expert to explore what fits your family best.
Washington School Directory, Report Cards, and School News
Coming soon — local district coverage launches when our newsroom partners with your school district.
In the meantime, use the My School DC School Finder to search D.C. public and public charter schools.
School Report Cards
Official school-level data comes from the DC School Report Card, published by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
View school-level profiles on the official DC School Report Card site.
School profiles are published by OSSE.
Featured Schools & Programs
For D.C. residents (12 consecutive months before first college enrollment) seeking a first undergraduate degree at least half-time, within DCTAG income thresholds. Apply every year.
Need-based, last-dollar award that fills the gap between a student’s financial aid package and the cost of attendance. Re-apply each year.
One application and lottery for D.C. public and public charter school options. Mid-year applications are made by calling the My School DC Hotline.
The HERE Decision Maker
6 questions, a personalized education & career roadmap. Free. No sign-up.
Where are you right now?
What matters most to you?
How do you learn best?
How much time can you commit?
What career field interests you most?
Where should we send your personalized roadmap?
We'll email your free education & career plan — no obligation.
Your Washington Education & Career Plan
Based on your answers, here are the top 3 paths we recommend in Washington.
We'll send a PDF summary plus local scholarship and program contacts.
Online & Hybrid Education
Accredited programs for Washington, D.C. residents who need flexibility.
Google, IBM, Meta, and other employer-backed certificates. Many are accepted by Washington, D.C.'s manufacturing and tech employers. Some WIOA-funded.
The University of the District of Columbia Community College offers more than 25 associate degree programs.
Flat-rate tuition online university; fully accredited. Strong in nursing, teaching, IT, and business. Popular with working adults.
School Board Meetings
Coming soon — local board meeting coverage launches when our newsroom partners with your school district.
For meeting schedules, visit the D.C. State Board of Education and the DC Public Charter School Board (monthly public meetings).
Key Education Policy Issues — Washington, D.C.
Education FAQ — Washington
How do I enroll my child in a Washington, D.C. public school?
My School DC is the common application and common lottery for the District’s public school options. No application is needed to enroll at a DCPS in-boundary school for grades K-12; find yours with the My School DC School Finder. For mid-year applications, call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What colleges are available to Washington, D.C. students?
UDC Community College, part of the University of the District of Columbia, offers more than 25 associate degree programs. D.C. residents using the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) attend more than 300 participating colleges and universities.
Is there financial aid available for D.C. students?
Yes. OSSE’s Division of Postsecondary and Career Education manages the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) and the Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program. DCTAG serves D.C. residents seeking a first undergraduate degree; Mayor’s Scholars is need-based, last-dollar funding for a first associate or bachelor’s degree at select area colleges. Applicants must re-apply every year; 2026–27 applications closed Aug. 21, 2026. FAFSA is available for all eligible students.
How does high school athletics work in Washington, D.C.?
High school athletics in Washington, D.C. are governed by the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA), established in 2012 by the Executive Office of the Mayor and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Its members are D.C. public schools, public charter schools, and independent (private and parochial) schools. DCSAA awards DC State Championship titles in 32 boys’ and girls’ interscholastic sports, including E-Sports, in Division A and AA.
How do I submit a tip or story idea to HEREWashingtonDC?
Use the Submit an Education Tip form at the top of this page. We cover school board decisions, program announcements, scholarship opportunities, enrollment deadlines, and any issue affecting Washington, D.C. students and families. Tips can be submitted anonymously.