School Expansion Policy

The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) announces an opportunity for the public to submit comment on the revised Enrollment Ceiling Increase Policy, renamed the School Expansion Policy. This policy explains the process by which DC PCSB will review charter amendment petitions pertaining to enrollment ceiling increases, grades served, and replications.

The proposed School Expansion Policy aims to increase student access to high-performing schools while encouraging sustainable growth. To achieve this end, staff has set three policy revision objectives: 1) Align the policy with DC PCSB’s sector planning approach and the ASPIRE Policy and Technical Guide so that decisions about growth advance student outcomes, respond to community needs, and sustain a quality, diverse charter sector over time; 2) Expand the current policy’s scope to encompass three types of expansion— enrollment ceiling increases, grades served, and campus replications— to make DC PCSB decision-making more transparent and cohesive for school leaders and community members; and 3) Establish clear and rigorous standards for evaluating past performance, leadership capacities, and expansion plans—factors critical for successful growth.