2023 Boundary and Student Assignment Study

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. 

Updated sibling phase-in policies following DME’s 2023 Boundary and Study Assignment Study

dcpsschoolplanning

In June 2024, the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM) approved the recommendations of the 2023 Boundary and Student Assignment study led by the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) – for details about the study read this post or visit dme.dc.gov/boundaries2023. 

Following that approval, DCPS worked with DME to review phase-in policies. Starting in School Year 2025-2026, DCPS is updating our approach to sibling phase-in policies. For details, review the 2024 DCPS boundary study implementation FAQ.

School Boundary change maps – School Year 2025-2026

dcpsschoolplanning

In 2023-2024, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) led a boundary and student assignment study. To read more about the recommendations that were made by the Advisory Committee and approved by Mayor Muriel Bowser, check out this post.

As a result of the study, the school boundaries for four DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will change, effective in School Year 2025-2026. School communities received letters about the planned change in August 2024. See school-specific boundary change maps below:

1. Amidon-Bowen Elementary School new boundary

2. Van Ness Elementary School new boundary

3. Malcolm X @ Green Elementary School new boundary

4. Turner Elementary School new boundary

2023 Boundary and Student Assignment Study Implementation Plan 

dcpsschoolplanning

In 2023-2024, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) led a boundary and student assignment study. To read more about the recommendations that were made by the Advisory Committee and approved by Mayor Muriel Bowser, check out this post.  

In February 2025, DCPS and DME published an Implementation Plan outlining key actions related to the recommendations of the boundary study. Future updates will be posted to this page on a rolling basis. 

School Year 2025-2026 boundary and feeder pattern changes

dcpsschoolplanning

In 2023-2024, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) led a boundary and student assignment study. The study was a comprehensive review of DC Public Schools (DCPS) boundaries and feeder patterns and of public school student assignment policies in accordance with the Attendance Zone Boundaries Act of 2013. The study focused on solving current and anticipated future challenges relating to clear rights, adequate capacity, and equitable access to public schools for the next 10 years.  

The process culminated in a series of recommendations made by the DC Advisory Committee on Student Assignment. In June 2024, Mayor Muriel Bowser approved the recommendations.  

Read the report with final recommendations.  

Read the Mayor’s approval of the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.  

As a result, DCPS communicated via letter and email with families living in a boundary change area: Four groups received this communication: 

  1. Public school families living in a change area newly assigned to Malcolm X, previously Turner (link) 
  1. Public school families living in a change area newly assigned to Amidon-Bowen, previously Van Ness (link) 
  1. Public school families living in the Ross boundary whose assigned middle school changed (link) 
  1. Public school families living in the Thomson boundary whose assigned middle school changed (link) 

DCPS will continue to work on implementation of the recommendations that directly impact or are owned by DCPS. Updates will be posted to this page on a rolling basis.