As the Washington DC real estate market braces itself against higher interest rates, credit tightening, inventory shortages, recession fears and an upcoming election year, the DC Council is beginning the process of redrawing DC school boundaries.
It's a term that raises the hackles of home owners and parents in a battle of access vs home values.
Boundaries, Feeder Patterns And Resale Value
What's at stake?
Boundary redraws can affect home values, school rankings and campus & community culture. The process can also effect a more equal quality of education for all DC students.
What Are School Boundaries and Feeder Patterns?
The DC Public Schools (DCPS) system consists mostly of neighborhood schools with specific geographic boundaries and include ‘feeder patterns’ that "feed" students directly into upper schools, from elementary through high school levels, in their neighborhood. It's all based on the student's address, and that's what creates the inequity. DC public school students have the legal right to attend these school pyramids. It's called “by-right” assignment. Of 116 DC public school campuses, 98 are considered “by-right,” and 18 are citywide. A whopping 72% of students use the common lottery each year to ensure entry to a particular charter or DCPS school outside of their community. Only 28% of students attend their “by-right” school.
What Is The City Proposing?
DC Council voted to use the 2023 Budget Support Act to mandate a DC Public Schools boundary study. The "Boundary And Student Assignment Study" is taking place now, and will trigger recommendations the city will adopt, modify or reject for the 2025-2026 school year. DC Council will take public feedback this summer.
The DC Advisory Committee on Student Assignment is a body charged with developing those recommendations and presenting them to the Mayor in the form of a public report. Considered are research, analysis, and public feedback.
Once the finalized study is presented to the Mayor, she identifies the agencies who will develop the implementation plan.
What's The 2023 Review Agenda?
According to the DC Policy Center, review will include address-based student assignments to determine which schools are "by-right," and examine their boundaries and feeder patterns, evaluate capacity in the "by-right" schools, and search for opportunities to create equitable access to top-rated schools.
How Do DC Residents Feel About This?
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