The majority of all public school students (excluding those enrolled in adult schools) live in Wards 8, 7, 4, and 5. The patterns of residence are similar for elementary, middle, and high school aged students (available on the interactive dashboard). More students attending alternative schools, adult schools, or special education schools (serving students with high levels of special education needs) live in Wards 4, 8, 1, and 5 compared to the other wards. Three neighborhood clusters continue to be home to the largest number of public school students (all grade levels excluding adult school students): Brightwood Park/Crestwood/Petworth (Cluster 18), Congress Heights (Cluster 39), Columbia Heights/Mt Pleasant (Cluster 2), and Takoma/Brightwood (Cluster 17).
Where Public School Students Live by Geography, SY2013-14 to SY2024-25
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment, SY13-14 to SY24-25
More public school students across all grades (excluding adult schools) live in the following DCPS high school boundary areas: Dunbar HS, Ballou HS, and Anacostia HS (see the interactive visualization below by DCPS HS boundary). The Dunbar HS boundary has experienced the greatest increase in number of public school students (excluding adult students) living there between SY2014-15 and SY2024-25, an increase of over 3,200 students. Other DCPS boundaries that increased the number of public school students (excluding adults) substantially between SY2014-15 and SY2024-25 also include the Coolidge HS boundary (an increase of over 2,400 students) and the Eastern HS boundary (an increase of over 2,700 students). The number of public school students living in the Jackson-Reed HS boundary also increased substantially up until SY2023-24 when MacArthur HS opened and students living in that area were diverted to the MacArthur HS boundary.
Where Public School Students Live Over Time by Ward, Planning Area, and DCPS High School Boundary, SY2013-14 to SY2024-25
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment, SY13-14 to SY24-25
