Despite record enrollment, there are still open slots at a couple dozen D.C. Public Schools’ preschool and pre-k programs.
Unsurprisingly, the open seats are disproportionately found in city’s poorest, most heavily African-American wards.
There are 24 schools with at least one open preschool seat as of Tuesday; 15 are in Ward 7 or Ward 8. Of the 23 schools with open pre-k seats, 14 are in Ward 7 or Ward 8.
As said, not surprising — but something that should probably be pointed out as D.C. Public Schools and the D.C. Council struggle to provide excellent education opportunities across the entire District.
The out-of-boundary lottery exists so that parents dissatisfied with their neighborhood schools can seek other options within DCPS. But where they aren’t looking, as always, speaks volumes.
By quadrant, of 24 schools with open preschool slots:
– 1 in Southwest
– 3 in Northwest
– 6 in Northeast
– 14 in Southeast
By quadrant, of 23 schools with open pre-k slots:
– 2 in Southwest
– 3 in Northwest
– 7 in Northeast
– 11 in Southeast
