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FAQs

All DC children are welcome at Perry Street Prep PCS!  Citizenship, language, and/or ability are never factors in our enrollment process. We do not discriminate and our families should feel safe, welcome, and part of our community regardless of where they come from what skills they bring.
Public Charter Schools are tuition-free public schools that are open to all DC residents. They are independently-operated by non-profit organizations with no neighborhood boundaries or requirements for previous academic achievement. Families must prove DC residency in order to attend a charter school in the District of Columbia without having to pay tuition.
 
Charter schools are held accountable for student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and compliance with all applicable local and federal laws by the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB). DCPCSB authorizes and monitors Perry Street Prep and other Washington DC public charter schools, holding them accountable for high quality programs and student achievement. www.dcpubliccharter.com
Q. What makes Perry Street Prep so special?

A. We offer a rigorous academic program, emphasize character development, offer a safe and secure learning environment and believe in building strong partnerships with families. Because we serve PreK (age 3) through Grade 8th, siblings, relatives and friends can all attend the same school.
 
At Perry Street Prep, we promise your student will:
  • Work in a community of diverse learners
  • Be taught by highly qualified teachers
  • Celebrate their PRIDE (Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Excellence)
 
Q. Why should I choose Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School?

A. Your child will receive a quality education in a warm, supportive and safe environment. Equally important, your child will develop a strong character and you, as parents, will partner with the school to ensure your child proceeds on the path to higher education. We believe in building relationships with our parents and working together to ensure that every student receives a top-notch education, backed by strong character and family support.
 
Perry Street Prep participates in the MySchoolDC Lottery. To learn more about this process, visit http://www.myschooldc.org/ or visit our Admissions page for additional details on how to apply and enroll.
 
To speak with our admissions coordinator you can email [email protected] or call 202-529-4400
 
Q. Do you offer tours?
 
A. YES!  We recommend that you attend a tour of Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School. See the admissions page for open house dates. We are also happy to set up individual meetings and tours for new families, see contact information below.
Perry Street Prep is Free for DC residents. Families residing outside the District of Columbia must pay tuition for their child to attend.
Perry Street Prep is served by public transportation. The E2, E3 and E4 buses, as well as the G8 bus, make stops within close walking distance to 1800 Perry St. NE.
 
Parents can visit the Metro Web site www.wmata.com or call Metro (202.637.7000 or 202.962.1234) to determine the best route for their children to get to Perry Street Prep.
 
District of Columbia students may obtain Kids Ride Free cards good for discounted fares on Metrorail and Metrobus, subject to eligibility requirements.
PSP offers a before-school care program beginning at 6:30am. Our aftercare program runs through 5:45pm. 
 
Additionally, we offer sports programs seasonally for our students including basketball, cheerleading, flag football, and more!
Q. Is special tutoring available to help students achieve grade-level work?

A. Yes. Depending on the grade level, Perry Street Prep offers after-school tutoring and Homework Help to support the academic success of our students. These programs provide additional instructional support to students in the areas of math and reading.
 
Q. Our family is experiencing homelessness, can we still attend?
 
A.Yes! We encourage all eligible students to submit an application to our lottery, including students protected under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal law ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education, including preschool education, as other students. Perry Street Prep will admit any homeless student who applies through the same process as other students, as outlined in our Enrollment Policy, even if they do not have the typical documents required for enrollment.

Q. Is there sibling preference?

A. Per DC charter school regulations, priority for enrollment at Perry Street Preparatory Charter School is given to students who fall under the following categories: (1) siblings of a current Perry Street Prep student and (2) residents of Washington, DC.

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What happens if I miss the application deadline?
    • If you miss the initial application deadline, you can still apply during the post-lottery application period. This period begins on February 4, 2025, for high school applicants (grades 9-12) and on March 4, 2025, for all other grades. During this time, you can apply to schools with available seats or join existing waitlists
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Are there opportunities for late applications?
      • Yes, the post-lottery application period allows for late applications. Initially, only applicants who did not submit a lottery application may apply to up to 12 schools. Beginning March 28, 2025, there is no restriction on who can apply or the number of school selections.

Perry Street Preparatory Charter School is only able to open a limited number of seats for new students each School Year. As a result, your student may be placed on the waitlist if there are more applications than available spots. Waitlist information will be communicated through My School DC.  If a grade level reaches its enrollment capacity, applicants who are not offered a seat are placed on a waitlist initially. As spots become available, offers are extended to students on the waitlist in the order determined by the lottery results with priority given to Siblings of current Students. We encourage you to monitor your My School DC account and stay alert for updates regarding your student’s placement.