After earlier decades of decline, public school enrollment (DCPS and public charter schools) began increasing in SY2009-10. Between SY2008-09 and SY2019-20, public school enrollment increased by 33% or 23,242 more public school students during the time period. In SY2020-21, the first school year affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, enrollment decreased by 775 students or less than 1%. Total enrollment stayed flat in SY2021-22, the second year of the pandemic. Over the last three years, the total public school enrollment has grown annually reaching the highest enrollment during the time period.
Total Public School Audited Enrollment, SY1990-91 through SY2024-25
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment
Public charter school enrollment has steadily increased most years, even during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). For the most current school year, SY2024-25, public charter enrollment growth is essentially flat compared to the year prior. DCPS enrollment has also steadily grown over the time period (albeit at a slower pace) until COVID-19 when DCPS enrollment declined for two years. Since SY2022-23, DCPS has again returned to steady annual enrollment growth. In SY2024-25, DCPS enrolled 52% of the total public school population and public charter schools enrolled 48% of the same.
Total Public School Audited Enrollment by Sector, SY2010-11 through SY2024-25
Source: OSSE Audited Enrollment
