Charter schools are schools that are publicly funded but independently run. This unique operation model sets charter schools apart from traditional public schools and gives them more freedom over things like curriculum, staffing, and budgeting.
In our article “How Do Charter Schools Work?”, we covered the ins and outs of what charter schools are and how they differ from traditional public schools and private schools. However, specific charter school laws and regulations vary from state to state.
Since the 1990s, charter schools have become increasingly common in Washington, D.C. Today, charter schools serve about half of the city’s public school students!
Here’s what DC parents need to know about local public charter schools.
History of Washington, D.C. charter schools
Washington, D.C. enacted its first charter school law in 1996, with the hopes of expanding education options and improving DC’s public school system. Three public charter schools opened that fall, with more and more schools cropping up over the next few years.
The popularity of DC charter schools began taking off in the 2000s. In 2002, around 15% of public school students in DC were attending charter schools. By the end of the decade, this number was over 35%.
Charter schools in DC gained national attention for their high performance. In 2016, Washington, D.C. ranked higher than any other state in the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Health of the Public Charter School Movement report. The report analyzed the growth, quality, and innovation of different charter school movements around the country.
Today, there are over 130 public charter schools in Washington, D.C. The District’s charter schools enroll nearly as many students as its traditional public schools.
How many students attend charter schools in Washington, D.C.?
According to the DC Public Charter School Board, there are over 47,000 students enrolled in DC’s 134 charter schools. Approximately 48% of public school students in the District attend a charter school.
How are charter schools funded in Washington, D.C.?
DC charter schools are funded similarly to the District’s other public schools. Funding comes primarily from local taxes. The specific amount that each school receives is calculated based on the number of students enrolled at the school.
While DC’s traditional public schools and charter schools are both publicly funded, charter schools have more flexibility over how they choose to use their funds. For example, they can decide how much to pay teachers and how much money to allocate for certain academic programs. Budget decisions are made by the independent charter school operators, not by the District.
Since DC charter schools are publicly funded, they are completely tuition-free.
How are charter schools in Washington, D.C. held accountable?
In DC, the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is the sole authorizer of charter schools. Whenever a new charter school opens, they sign a contract with the DC PCSB outlining detailed performance benchmarks.
The DC PCSB conducts in-depth reviews of the District’s independent charter school operators at least once every five years. In addition to meeting the guidelines laid out in their charter agreements, DC charter schools need to meet the same District-wide academic standards as traditional public schools. The DC PCSB has the right to revoke charters for schools that are under-performing. The DC PCSB also conducts thorough financial reviews to ensure that charter schools are using public funds responsibly.
How can you enroll in Washington, D.C. charter schools?
Charter schools in DC are open to all DC residents, so parents can choose a charter school that best suits their child. As public schools, charter schools cannot restrict admission on the basis of academic achievement or any protected class.
In certain cases, preference may be given to a specific group of students—for example, if a traditional public school is converted to a charter school, that school will usually prioritize enrollment for existing students. Be sure to reach out to the schools you’re interested in to learn more about their enrollment policies.
To enroll in DC charter schools, families must apply using the My School DC lottery system. This is a common, citywide application system that allows families to apply to multiple DC charter schools within one application. If a school receives more applications than available seats, students will be chosen via a lottery system.
Learn more about BASIS Washington, D.C.
BASIS DC is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 5–12. We offer an accelerated college preparatory curriculum with a strong student support system.
In 2024, BASIS DC was the top-ranked open-enrollment public school in Washington, D.C., per U.S. News & World Report. BASIS DC was also named the #1 Best Charter High School in DC by Niche.
Take a school tour to visit our campus and get a firsthand look at what makes our school so successful.
For more information on different education options available for your family, download our guide, “A Parent’s Guide to School Choice.”
