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Data from a 2018 DC Public Charter Schools survey show that as more families seek enrollment for their children, growth in the schools’ waitlists accelerates.
For instance:
• 11,317 individual students are on a waitlist to attend a PK-12 public charter school in the 2018-19 school year, an increase of 17 percent from last year;
• Roughly 66 percent of applicants on waitlists are waiting for a spot at a high-performing (or Tier 1) public charter school;
• 13,611 total students on a waitlist — across public charter schools — are waiting for a spot in grades pre-kindergarten or kindergarten, an increase of 1,468 over last year. The greatest demand continues to be in grades pre-kindergarten and kindergarten; and
• 65 percent of public charter schools have longer waitlists than they did this time last year.
Annual College Fair
Thurgood Marshall Academy in Southeast recently hosted its 9th annual College Fair, with nearly 100 college representatives in attendance.
Students who attended the event represented Cesar Chavez PCS Parkside High, Cesar Chavez PCS – Capitol Hill Campus, Washington Latin Public Charter School, National Collegiate Prep, Maya Angelou PCS, Washington Math Science Technology PCHS, and E.L. Haynes.
While at the college fair, students met with admissions staff to learn more about the schools they plan to attend. They also collected pamphlets and other materials that provided them a better understanding of their prospective school’s academic culture.
ESSA Update
A team spearheaded by Every Student Succeeds Act task force Chair Lannette Woodruff recently attended the U.S. Department of Education’s Family Engagement Summit in Baltimore.
The summit convened teachers, family members and other school and community stakeholders to share best practices and action plans to benefit students and schools.
During the event, the DC State Board of Education submitted a proposal that outlined ways to amplify parent power and inform families in Wards 7 and 8 about ESSA and the new school report card.
Seeking Student Representatives
The DC State Board of Education seeks motivated students in the District to serve next year as student representatives and members of the Student Advisory Committee.
Selected students will have the opportunity to represent their peers in the decision-making process for education policy in D.C.
“Our students provide tremendous perspective on how the policies we make impact their educational experiences in their individual classrooms,” said Karen Williams, SBOE president. “The role of our student representatives and committee members is fundamental to the success of the work of the SBOE.”
Applications are now being accepted and are due by Thursday, May 31. Interested students can apply online at bit.ly/SBOEStudentRep.