Implementation of updated sibling phase-in policies in the MacArthur HS feeder pattern

dcpsschoolplanning

In June 2022, families of students at Hardy Middle School and its feeder elementary schools were notified that the opening of the district’s new comprehensive neighborhood high school, MacArthur High School (HS), would require changes to boundaries and feeder patterns.  

Background:  

Additionally, from March 2023 to March 2024, under the Attendance Zone Boundaries Amendment Act of 2022, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) conducted a comprehensive study of DCPS boundaries, feeder patterns, and student assignment policies. Once the study’s recommendations were approved in June 2024, and in collaboration with DME, DCPS reviewed our phase-in policies.  

Updates to the Policy: 

For the past two school years, DCPS’ phase-in policy has allowed 8th grade students at Hardy to choose between MacArthur HS and their former feeder high school, Jackson-Reed HS. Aligned with past communication, that dual option has come to an end; current Hardy 8th graders entering 9th grade in School Year (SY) 2025-2026 will have feeder rights to only MacArthur HS. Additionally, there will be changes to sibling phase-in policies beginning in SY 2025-2026. For more information, read the MacArthur HS FAQ.

For more information, read this post and review the 2024 DCPS boundary study implementation FAQ.

DCPS is implementing phase-in policies within the MacArthur feeder pattern to align with this updated approach. As a result, DCPS communicated via letter and email with families in the MacArthur feeder pattern. Two groups received communication:  

  1. Families at Hardy MS (English, Spanish) 
  1. Families at the feeder elementary schools, Hyde-Addison ES, Eaton ES, Key ES, Mann ES, and Stoddert ES. (link to letters)  

Update as of June 9, 2025: DCPS Chief of Integrity, Cinthia Ruiz sent a letter to Hardy families impacted by this decision. For SY2026-27 and SY2027-28, DCPS is committed to Jackson-Reed enrolling siblings through the MySchoolDC lottery. To read the full letter from Chief Ruiz, click here.

If you have any questions, please email us at dcps.planning@k12.dc.gov.