School Updates

Eleven Schools To Offer Equitable Access Admissions Preference

Beginning in SY 2022-23, 11 schools may offer an admission preference to students who are at-risk.

Earlier this year, DC Council passed the “Expanding Equitable Access to Great Schools Act of 2020.” This legislation established an admissions preference for students designated as “at-risk*.” The goal of this legislation was to improve access for these students to the most sought-after schools across the city.

The At-Risk Preference Approval and Monitoring Policy was created by DC PCSB to give at-risk students and their families greater access to the schools they want to attend. The preference remains in place for five school years and may be renewed an unlimited number of times, each time for a 5-year period.

Staff reviewed and approved applications from the following 11 schools to offer an at-risk admissions preference:

Breakthrough Montessori PCS

DC Bilingual PCS

DC Wildflower

Digital Pioneers Academy PCS

E.L. Haynes PCS

Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS

Sojourner Truth Montessori PCS

The Children’s Guild DC PCS

Two Rivers PCS

Washington Latin PCS

Washington Yu Ying PCS

 

Now that the applications are approved, these LEAs will work with My School DC to implement the preference in a way that works best for their respective school communities.

Read the memo the Board read into record at the September Board 2021 meeting here.

 

*“At-risk” means a DCPS student or a public charter school student who is identified as one or more of the following:

(A) Homeless;

(B) In the District’s foster care system;

(C) Qualifies for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; or

(D) A high school student that is one year older, or more, than the expected age for the grade in which the student is enrolled.