History of DC Charter School Openings and Closures

July 02, 2025

Explore the evolution of DC’s public charter school sector—including where schools have opened, consolidated, and closed—since the first charters opened in 1996.

Closed Public Charter Schools and Campuses in Washington, DC (1996–Present)

As the sole public charter school authorizer in the District, DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) is committed to transparency and public accountability. Since the first public charter schools opened in 1996, some campuses and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have closed for various reasons.

This page provides a historical record of public charter school closures and campus consolidations across the District.

Quick Facts (1996–Present)

  • More than 80 public charter school campuses have closed since 1996.

  • Closure decisions have been made by both the current authorizer (DC PCSB) and the former Board of Education (BOE), which authorized early public charter schools before 2007.

  • The most common reasons for closure include academic underperformance, financial mismanagement, and low enrollment, leading to financial instability.

Closure Types

The list includes closures due to:

  • Revoked Charters: Initiated by DC PCSB or the Board of Education based on performance or compliance issues.

  • Relinquished Charters: Voluntary decisions made by a school’s board of trustees to surrender its charter.

  • Campus Closures: Specific campuses of LEAs that have been closed, often due to consolidation, strategic restructuring, or the closure of the LEA.

Access the Full List

Click HERE to view the complete list of closed public charter school campuses, including the year opened, year closed, and reason for closure. 

 

Grade Configuration & Changes

View the most recent grade configurations and changes for SY20-21.
Available Here