Grades 6-8 

Welcome to Grades 6-8

The middle school years are an exhilarating and challenging stage of life for students and parents alike. DCPS’ mission is to reach every middle school student with demanding curriculum, inspired educators, and exciting extracurricular activities that lead to solid academic success.

Step 1: Is my child eligible to attend a DC Public School?

Residency

• Your child must be a resident of the District of Columbia in order to be eligible for a free public education at DCPS.
• If you are not a resident of the District of Columbia, you may pay non-resident tuition to enroll in a DCPS school where space is available. For more information, contact the Student Residency Office at (202) 442-5215.

Step 2: What does DCPS offer my child?

Basic Facts About Grades 6-8 at DCPS

• All schools use an Effective Schools Framework and a Teaching and Learning Framework to ensure that every child has access to engaging instruction.
• Art, music, and PE are provided for every child.
• Special Education services are available for students with special needs.
• Services are available for students who are English Language Learners.

Unique Academic Programs

Dual language/Spanish immersion
In dual language classrooms, students learn grade level curriculum in two languages: English and Spanish. This popular and successful program allows students to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in both languages through challenging and engaging classroom activities.

Catalyst schools
These specialized schools base all curriculum and learning methods around one of three themes:

• STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
• Arts Integration
• World Cultures

Learn More

• Download the DCPS Middle School Guide.
• For a taste of what DCPS is like, learn more about a few highlighted schools.
• Learn about all our schools by viewing School Profiles.
• Find contact information for all DCPS schools in School Directory.
• Visit an Open House.
• Download learning standards for Grades 6 - 8 and for Arts, Health, and Physical Education.

Step 3: How do I find school options for my child?

Find Your Neighborhood School
A neighborhood school is a school assigned to a student based on his/her address. (Please note that students with special needs or limited-English may be assigned to a school other than their neighborhood school in order to better serve their needs.)

• Search for the DCPS neighborhood schools assigned to your address.
• Look at a map of neighborhood school boundaries.

Find Your Destination School
A destination school is a school into which a student's current DCPS school feeds. Students have the right to attend their destination school even if it is different from their neighborhood school.

Find your assigned DCPS destination school.

Learn About Opportunities to Attend a Different School

• Out-of-Boundary Lottery
• Title I School Choice

Step 4: How do I enroll my child in a DC Public School?

Download all enrollment forms.

Middle School Fair - Saturday, January 21, 2012

Attention parents of 4th and 5th grade students: Stay tuned for more information about the Middle School Fair on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Sign up to receive email notification.