DC’s Path to progress

Over the past two decades,

the District of Columbia has rewritten the story of public education in America. Once known as one of the nation’s lowest-performing systems, DC is once again recognized as the fastest-improving public school system in the country.

Through bold investments and innovation, DC built a public education system grounded in public school choice, high standards, and support for every learner. Families can choose from a diverse mix of DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools, and both sectors have been essential to driving citywide improvement.

The challenge:
A pandemic setback

The impact of COVID-19…

was felt across the country and across DC, but was greatest for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, English learners, and students with disabilities.

And while national data show ongoing declines, DC has charted a different path. Through continued investment in proven strategies and a focus on student success, our city has rebounded faster and stronger than most of the nation.

The Comeback:
DC as a National Success Story

Recent data confirm…

what many in our schools already know: DC is once again leading the nation in educational recovery and growth.

  • DC is an Outlier in a National Slide. While national scores on the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP) fell, DC stood out for making real progress in both reading and math.

  • Students Are Learning More, Faster. The latest DC CAPE results show the largest year-over-year gains in English and math proficiency since before the pandemic.  Nearly 58% of students in ELA and 48% in math are approaching, meeting, or exceeding expectations, and proficiency rose across every ward and most student groups.

  • Families Are Choosing DC Schools. Enrollment in both DCPS and public charter schools has fully recovered and now exceeds pre-pandemic levels, a clear sign of growing trust and confidence from families.

  • Educators Are Staying in Classrooms. Teacher retention in DC is now higher than before the pandemic, bringing greater stability and stronger relationships for students.

  • Collaboration Is the Key to Success. The combined efforts of students, families, educators, and community partners are driving DC’s recovery and momentum. It’s proof that when our city works together, progress follows.

what’s next:
Continued Improvement Requires Investment

DC has shown what’s possible…

when a city stays the course, when leaders, educators, and communities commit to progress for every student.

But the work isn’t done. To sustain and accelerate DC’s growth, we must continue to:

  • Strengthen public school choice and ensure quality across every neighborhood

  • Expand career and postsecondary pathways that prepare students for success

  • Accelerate academic progress through evidence-based instruction and interventions

  • Support the whole child, meeting academic, social, and emotional needs.

a longterm commitment
to student success

DC’s progress…

is owed to resilience and resolve. Our students are learning more, our teachers are staying longer, and our schools are stronger than ever.

With continued investment, innovation, and collaboration, DC can become the first city in the nation where every student has access to the opportunities they deserve.