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 only students with high-levels of special education needs) live in Wards 4, 8, and 1 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): Congress Heights (Cluster 39); Brightwood Park, Crestwood, and Petworth (Cluster 18); and Columbia Heights and Mt Pleasant (Cluster 2).
Where Public School Students Live by Geography, SY2013-14 to SY2023-24
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment, SY13-14 to SY23-24
More public school students across all grades (excluding adult schools) live in the following DCPS high school boundary areas: Ballou HS, Dunbar HS, Anacostia HS, and H.D. Woodson 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 SY2023-24, an increase of close to 3,000 students. Other DCPS boundaries that increased by more than 2,000 public school students (excluding adults) between SY2014-15 and SY2023-24 include the Coolidge HS boundary and the Eastern HS boundary. 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 portion 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 SY2023-24
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment, SY13-14 to SY23-24
