The DC PCSB is dedicated to providing accessible information for families and the community. Starting in SY 2025-26, our newly approved Public Information Policy will also require schools to share similar information on their websites. Explore the links below to find answers to frequently asked questions from school leaders, families, and community members.
Disclaimer: Information available on this page is submitted by public charter schools and then reviewed and posted by DC PCSB.
UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
General Information about Public Charter Schools
Learn more about a school's mission, charter goals, academic calendar, students, employees and more on the school's profile page.
The school's annual report to DC PCSB, contain: detailed information about each school and its activities; its report on goals attainment, key data, including average, minimum and maximum teacher salaries; School academic calendar; Student handbook, include individual school's disciplinary policies, high school course offerings and graduation requirements (if applicable)
Results of DC PCSB's Qualitative Site Reviews for each school, showing results from in-depth classroom observations
We conduct reviews to provide families, teachers, and school administrative leaders another source of information to measure achievement and identify areas for improvement.
A charter is the contract between DC PCSB and individual public charter schools which lays out how that school will operate. A school's charter includes: mission, grades/ages served, charter goals and student academic achievement expectations, graduation requirements (if applicable), Board of Trustee bylaws, enrollment ceiling (by year, for expanding schools), Management Agreement (if applicable).
Financial Monitoring List & Citation of Fiscal Concern
The Monitoring List is the first escalation step taken by DC PCSB to track public charter LEAs that show signs of financial instability. Public charter LEAs are placed on this Monitoring List for a combination of factors like low cash reserves, high debt ratios, or issues with budget management. The Citations of Fiscal Concern list includes formal citations issued to LEAs for various issues, such as material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, large variances, consistently late submissions, or instances of fraud or theft.
School's submit budgets to DC PCSB for the 12-month period (July 1-June 30). The annual budget outlines both the income and expenditures that are expected to be received and paid over the coming year.
School's submit this tax return form that nonprofits use to report their charitable receipts for the year. A form 990 is to be used by any 501(c) organization.
These reports contains an analysis of each public charter school's fiscal health, highlighting areas of financial weakness; details of all not-for-profit and for-profit management companies; and details of school expenditures on facilities.
As part of our oversight practices, DC PCSB conducts an annual Compliance Review to ensure public charter LEAs comply with applicable policies and charter requirements.
Oversight testimony and responses to DC Council since 2013
Every year, DC PCSB responds to questions posed by DC Council and testifies during performance oversight hearings. View responses and testimony since 2013.
DC School Report Card includes academic attainment and proficiency, by subgroups; Discipline rates, by subgroup; Information about before & after school care and extracurricular activities; student mobility; Title I Status; teacher and health staff information; and Per Pupil Expenditures (coming this year).
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) uses its School Transparency and Reporting (STAR) Framework to identify schools in need of improvement. Designated schools must complete a School Improvement Plan subject to DC PCSB approval. School Improvement Plans are available for public review.
View Equity Report that includes academic performance, discipline, and mid-year withdrawal rates, in many cases broken out by subgroups. (Note that much of the information in equity reports has been replaced by OSSE's DC School Report Card, launched in 2018)
Each year, DC PCSB works with public charter local education agencies to track student attendance and disciplinary measures pursuant to the reporting requirements outlined in DC Code § 38-203(i).