School Choice in

Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia offers K–12 students and their families several types of school choice, including one private school choice program, charter schools, magnet schools, home schooling and intra-district public school choice.

Fast Facts Policy Toolkit Regulations State Groups

Private School Choice

The District of Columbia has one private school choice program, a school voucher that helps some families afford to send their children to participating private schools.

Public School Choice

The District of Columbia allows some parents to transfer among public schools within their district (intra-district choice). The district has a few magnet schools as well.

Charter Schools

The District of Columbia has several charter schools. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are free of many of the regulations that restrict traditional public schools.

Homeschool

Parents have to follow certain laws in Washington, D.C., when homeschooling their children.