Start by reviewing school profiles on the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) website and the DC School Report Card, which provide data on test scores, graduation rates, attendance, and student demographics. Look at growth indicators as well as proficiency rates to understand how effectively a school supports student progress over time.

Examine program offerings such as Advanced Placement (AP) courses, International Baccalaureate (IB), dual-language programs, STEM or arts integration, and special education services to match your child’s needs and interests.

Visit schools in person when possible to observe classroom environments, speak with administrators and teachers, and evaluate safety, facilities, and school culture. Ask about teacher experience, staff turnover, and family engagement opportunities.

Finally, supplement official data with feedback from other families, community organizations, and independent school-rating platforms, remembering that qualitative insights can add important context to performance statistics.

Consider academic performance, program focus, and school culture first. Some charter schools specialize in areas such as college prep, language immersion, STEM, or the arts, while DCPS schools may offer more comprehensive neighborhood-based programs and established pathways from elementary through high school.

Evaluate logistics, including location, transportation options, school hours, and after-school programs, especially if you commute across the city. Confirm whether a school provides transportation or partners with transit solutions.

Review admission and enrollment processes. DCPS neighborhood schools typically guarantee seats for in-boundary students, while many DCPS citywide and charter schools use the My School DC lottery. Understand deadlines, waitlist procedures, and how sibling preferences work.

Finally, compare support services such as special education, English language learner programs, counseling, and social-emotional supports, ensuring the school can meet your child’s specific academic and personal needs.

The most authoritative source is the DC School Report Card, managed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). It provides standardized test results, growth metrics, graduation rates, school climate indicators, and information on student subgroups.

The DCPS and individual public charter school websites offer school profiles that highlight academic programs, extracurricular activities, and support services. Many publish detailed school improvement plans and annual performance reviews.

Independent platforms such as GreatSchools and Niche aggregate test scores, parent reviews, and other public data into comparative ratings, which can be useful when combined with official sources.

Community organizations, neighborhood listservs, and local education advocacy groups can also provide context, especially about school leadership, staff stability, and family engagement, which may not be fully reflected in numeric ratings alone.

Test scores are a useful indicator of academic performance but should be interpreted as only one component of a broader evaluation. High proficiency rates can suggest strong instruction and rigorous expectations, but they may also reflect differences in student demographics and prior preparation.

Pay close attention to growth data, which shows how much students improve academically from year to year. A school with moderate proficiency but strong growth may be effectively supporting students who started behind grade level.

Also consider non-academic indicators such as attendance, discipline data, school climate surveys, and graduation and college enrollment rates. These factors provide insight into how safe, inclusive, and supportive the school environment is.

Ultimately, combine quantitative data with firsthand observations and conversations with families and educators to determine whether a school’s instructional approach and culture align with your child’s learning style and long-term goals.

Begin by creating a shortlist of schools based on location, academic programs, and performance data from the DC School Report Card and school websites. Contact each school to inquire about open houses, scheduled tours, and opportunities to observe classes.

During your visit, note classroom size, student engagement, and how teachers interact with students. Ask about curriculum, assessment practices, homework expectations, and how the school supports different learning styles and needs.

Speak with administrators about school priorities, professional development for teachers, and how they address social-emotional learning, safety, and family communication. If applicable, meet with special education or English learner coordinators to understand available supports.

After your visits, compare your impressions, logistics, and data, then align your choices with the My School DC lottery or enrollment timelines. Keep a ranked list of preferred schools, including backups, in case demand for your top choices is high.