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District of Columbia International School

United States, Washington DC

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1650
Type Co-educational
Opened 2014
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Taught languages Spanish, French, Mandarin
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Middle School, High School
Introduction

District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a tuition-free public charter for students aged 11–18, serving grades 6–12 on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus in Delano Hall. Founded in 2014, it grew from language-immersion charters to become an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6–10 and the Diploma Programme (DP) or Career Programme (CP) for grades 11–12. DCI implements an IB for All approach, with English as the language of instruction for core subjects and three language tracks (French, Spanish, and Chinese), where language study and electives are delivered in the target language. The school runs a 1:1 Chromebook program, supporting inquiry-based, student-centered learning. Distinctive features include language immersion, work-based learning through CP, and robust electives in arts and STEM. The campus is Tier 1 per DC PCSB, and ACE activities, athletics, and partnerships enrich experiences. A true model for IB for families.

1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012, United States

The Essentials

District of Columbia International School has 1,650 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin.

Location
The Parks at Walter Reed, 1400 Main Drive NW, Washington, DC 20012. The school is located at Delano Hall on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus, with the main entrance at the corner of 16th Street NW and Main Drive NW and the back entrance at Aspen Street NW and 14th Street NW. Buses D31, S2, and S4 travel on 16th Street to Delano Hall; 52, 53, and 54 travel on 14th Street to Delano Hall; 70 and 79 travel on Georgia Avenue to the opposite side of the campus (a 7-minute walk to Delano Hall). The nearest Metro station is Takoma (Red Line; the 53 bus from Takoma takes about 5 minutes to Delano Hall, with a 19-minute walk from Takoma).

Stages
Middle and high school (grades 6–12)

Type
Public charter middle and high school

Additional learning support
Targeted academic support in grades 11–12 to prepare for IB assessments

School day structure
Middle school: English and Math every day; language track (French, Spanish, or Chinese) daily; electives on alternating days. High school: English, Math, language, Science, and History every day; electives, arts, and PE on alternating days.

Bus service
Buses: D31, S2, and S4 on 16th Street to Delano Hall; 52, 53, and 54 on 14th Street to Delano Hall; 70 and 79 on Georgia Avenue to the other side of the campus (7-minute walk to Delano Hall)
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are provided for all sports teams and must be returned at the end of the season.

Food Options
The school provides a healthy breakfast from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and lunch with purchase options following DC regulations. There are no refrigeration options for food brought from home, and designated microwaves are available during lunch. The school is not a nut-free school; peanuts and peanut-containing foods may be allowed in specific areas.

Governance and Ownership
The DCI Board of Trustees makes critical decisions pertaining to management, facilities, finance, and fundraising and serves in the role of the School Board.
Fees
Application fees

- There is no application fee charged by DC International School; admissions are handled through the citywide My School DC lottery and prospective families apply via that system.

Tuition (by year group and per term)

- DC International School is a tuition-free public charter school for all enrolled students in Grades 6–12. There is no tuition charged per term or per year for any grade level. (State-funded; no tuition billed to families.)

Billing schedule and payment terms (other chargeable programs and items)

- After‑school clubs (ACE) for middle school students are billed per trimester; ACE pricing is stated on a per‑trimester basis. Middle school ACE rates are charged by class and by the number of meeting days per week each trimester.

- Late pick‑up / drop‑in after‑care is subject to a fee when students remain on campus past the allowed time; a $12 drop‑in after‑care charge is applied to a family's CommunityPass account for middle school students found awaiting pickup after the late cutoff.

- Fees related to athletics, club registrations, ACE balances, and other program balances are managed through the school's online registration/billing platforms (CommunityPass for ACE and athletics; SchoolCafé for meal accounts). Families are responsible for clearing balances to remain eligible for some activities (for example, high‑school after‑school programming is free only if there are no outstanding balances for ACE, Chromebooks, or lunch).

Boarding fees

- DC International School does not operate as a boarding school. There are no boarding fees. The school is a day, public charter middle and high school serving DC residents.

Other costs and typical fee items (amounts where published)

- ACE (Activities, Clubs & Extracurriculars) — Middle School (prices per trimester):
- $135 per class (regular tuition per trimester for classes meeting once per week).
- $270 for classes that meet 2 days per week per trimester.
- $405 for classes that meet 3 days per week per trimester.
- $540 for classes that meet 4 days per week per trimester.
- FARMS (Free and Reduced Meals) reduced ACE rates per trimester: $60 per class; $120 (2 days/wk); $180 (3 days/wk); $240 (4 days/wk).
- Post‑ACE lounge (per trimester) regular tuition: $50 per day-of-week; scaled pricing for multiple days as published; FARMS and EA (Extra Assistance) reduced lounge pricing applies.
- Drop‑in ACE tuition: $6 per day (regular), $4 per day (FARMS), $1 per day (EA).
- High school after‑school programming is noted as free but requires no outstanding balances.

- Athletics fees and related costs:
- There are fees to cover the cost of Middle School and High School interscholastic sports; the school provides team uniforms (to be returned at season end). Families may be required to pay for individual items that are for personal use (mouthguards, shin guards, gloves, or coach‑specified apparel). Specific per‑team or per‑season athletic fees are charged at registration and vary by sport.

- Chromebook repair / replacement charges (family financial responsibility when devices are damaged, lost, or require parts replacement):
- Replace damaged Chromebook: typically ranges approximately USD 110.00–260.00 (contingent on original purchase price and depreciated value).
- Screen replacement: approximately USD 30.00–40.00.
- Touchscreen replacement: approximately USD 70.00.
- Power cord replacement: approximately USD 25.00.
- Keyboard replacement: approximately USD 50.00–80.00.
- Broken hinges: approximately USD 70.00.
- Families are responsible for shipping costs for repairs when applicable. These repair and replacement charge bands are published in the school's Student & Family Handbook.

- School meals / lunch accounts:
- Meal accounts and payments are handled through SchoolCafé; families use the student ID to manage and fund lunch accounts. Meal prices are set for the school meal program and some families may qualify for free or reduced‑price meals (FARMS). Charges for purchases from the school meal program are managed via SchoolCafé.

- International travel (Voyager program) and field‑trip costs:
- Families are expected to pay the cost of high‑school international travel programming; the school budgets some subsidy and maintains a Voyager Fund for partial assistance. If a student becomes ineligible before a DCI‑sponsored trip begins, families will be refunded amounts contributed toward the trip minus the non‑refundable deposit. Refunds are not provided for students who withdraw for personal reasons or who are sent home for misconduct while on a trip; families bear the cost to send a student home in such cases.

Refund information (where the school specifies it)

- Tuition: not applicable (school is tuition‑free).

- International trips: refunds are issued for funds contributed if a student becomes ineligible before the trip starts, less any non‑refundable deposit; no refunds for withdrawal by a student for personal reasons or for disciplinary removal during a trip.

- For ACE, athletics, meal accounts, Chromebook charges, and other program fees, standard billing and refund practices are administered through the school's registration and billing platforms; ACE pricing and drop‑in charges are published for middle school trimesters. Specific refund terms for ACE or athletics registrations are handled at registration and through the platform used (CommunityPass).

Fee payment options and methods

- After‑school clubs and activity registrations (ACE) and athletics are processed via CommunityPass (online registration platform) which supports online payments (credit/debit card and eCheck, card‑on‑file, and recurring payments where enabled). Families will be billed or charged at registration or as specified by program registration terms.

- School meal account payments are managed through SchoolCafé; SchoolCafé accepts online credit or debit card and other electronic payment methods for meal account deposits. Families use their student ID to link accounts and add funds.

- Chromebook repair and replacement charges are billed to families and handled by the school's IT/billing processes; families may be directed to the student billing contact (student.billing@dcinternationalschool.org) for payment coordination.

Contacts referenced for billing or program registration

- Student billing contact: student.billing@dcinternationalschool.org (listed in the Student & Family Handbook as the point of contact for lunch billing and related account matters).
- ACE registration and athletics contacts are managed via acedci@dcinternationalschool.org and athletics@dcinternationalschool.org and occur through CommunityPass.

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

District of Columbia International School teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme) for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
The school is an IB World School offering an International Baccalaureate for All program. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) serves grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) or Career Programme (CP) serves grades 11-12. Language tracks include French, Spanish, and Chinese, with daily language study and electives often taught in the target language. English is the language of instruction for core subjects, and the IB framework emphasizes inquiry-based learning, student agency, and global mindedness. The IB program integrates language development with rigorous, college-preparatory coursework and culminates in IB assessments and related certificates.

Exam Results
Graduates earn a DCI Diploma, an IB Diploma, an IB Career-related Certificate, course-specific IB certificates, and/or an IB Bilingual Diploma. The school is rated Tier 1 by the DC PCSB and consistently outperforms the city PARCC averages. Final examinations are part of the program and prepare students for university and life beyond.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates attend a range of colleges and universities; many universities offer college credit for IB coursework and give preference in admissions to IB Diploma candidates.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
DCI supports social-emotional learning through the IB framework and a daily Approaches to Learning class that builds social skills and study strategies. The IB program emphasizes environmental stewardship, social justice, and language and culture to develop responsible global citizens. Student Agency & Technology gives students voice and ownership in their education, aligning with SEL goals. The IB learner profile emphasizes balance, reflection, and effective communication as core dispositions. The Mental Health Department provides a comprehensive counseling program addressing social, emotional, and academic needs, supported by a vision that emphasizes emotional balance and reflective growth.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
DCI uses a Response to Intervention (RtI) model to address instructional concerns and reduce inappropriate referrals to special education. Students' progress is monitored at each stage of intervention, with supports provided in small groups or individually in general education or in special education. DC International School conducts Child Find to identify and evaluate all eligible students aged 11 to 22 for special education and related services. The policy requires initial evaluations within 60 days of consent and outlines referral procedures and parent safeguards. Target populations include homeless students, those in CFSA custody, and youth rehabilitation services; coordination with CFSA, DBH, and Mary's Center is maintained. The staff contact for questions about services is the Director of Student Support Services, Kimberly Colley.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Language learning is a daily requirement at DCI; students take their language class every day. DCI offers three target languages—Spanish, French, and Chinese—with language immersion of 25-50% in these languages. Electives and some content courses may be taught in the target language, while courses in English remain available when students are not yet ready for content in the target language. The program aims to improve English proficiency and intercultural competence and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce. Proficiency is measured on the ACTFL scale.

Mental Wellbeing
The Mental Health Department provides a comprehensive, data-responsive, and developmentally appropriate counseling program addressing social, emotional, and academic needs. The vision emphasizes the IB learner profile, with communication, reflection, and emotional balance as key elements. Counseling services support students across grade levels and align with IB values to promote wellbeing and resilience. The department operates within the school's IB framework to support the whole child. The department's approach is to empower students to develop skills for balanced, healthy growth.

Safeguarding
DCI maintains a Child Find policy to identify, locate, and evaluate all students with disabilities between ages 11 and 22. Points of Contact for concerns about Child Find include the Director of Student Support Services, Kimberly Colley, with phone and email. Outreach efforts include information at school events, publication in handbooks and calendars, and annual conferences. DC International School coordinates with external agencies such as the CFSA, the Department of Behavioral Health, and Mary's Center. Referrals and initial evaluations follow procedures that require consent, with timelines (initial evaluation within 60 days) and protections for parental rights. Staff receive annual training to ensure adherence to Child Find responsibilities.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 2014, District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 6–12. It was formed by five language-immersion elementary public charter schools—Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School, Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, Mundo Verde Public Charter School, and DC Bilingual Public Charter School—to extend language learning into middle and high school. DCI is located on the Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus in Delano Hall. It is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career Programme (IB for All). The school is governed as a non-profit corporation by a Board of Trustees; leadership includes Executive Director Michael Rosskamm and school principals, and board meetings are open to the public.

Community
DCI Life offers a wide variety of after-school activities, clubs and extracurriculars (ACE) open to all students. The Athletics program is supported by the Athletic Booster Club, which oversees and supports student-athletes and has recorded 13 championships in 2025. DCI hosts and participates in cultural and community events, including Kids Euro Festival, Turkish Heritage Festival, Family Science Days, and Chinese New Year Family Festival. DC International School has been featured in local and national coverage, including DC Public Charter School Board reports and outlets such as NBC 4 Washington, WAMU, Fox 5 Washington, and Washington Business Journal.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) exists to support students by facilitating communication between DCI and the parent community, encouraging parental engagement, and supporting DCI's socially just and sustainable mission. The PTO Board (PTOB) is made up of two-thirds representatives from each grade and, with DCI administration, coordinates workshops and school events based on parent surveys. Volunteers are welcome to support school events and field trips, and the PTO conducts an annual election for its Board with roles including President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Directors. DC International School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; the Board of Trustees sets the school's vision, ensures resources, and maintains legal compliance.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
DC International School is an International Baccalaureate World School offering the Middle Years Program for grades 6-10 and the Diploma Program or Career Program for grades 11-12. The school runs a 1:1 technology program with Chromebooks for every student, supporting differentiated, inquiry-based learning. In the middle school, students study English, Math, and their language daily, with electives and core courses taught in the target language depending on language level. In the high school, students study English, Math, their language, Science, and History daily, with electives and Arts, and Physical Education on alternating days. The school offers three language tracks—French, Spanish, and Chinese—where language classes are daily and electives can be taught in the target language, with a beginning track offering a third language. The school is located at the Parks on Walter Reed and has been rated as a Tier 1 school by DC PCSB.

Extra Curricular Facilities
DCI provides a wide variety of after-school activities, clubs and extracurriculars open to all students.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers after-school activities through ACE (Activities, Clubs, & Extracurriculars) open to all students. ACE includes Cooking/Baking, Robotics, and Debate, among many other options. Last year, 1,050 students participated in ACE, about 70% of the student body. Through IB pathways, students engage in work-based learning and external partnerships such as FIRST Robotics, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and media-technology programs like the Student Television Network and PBS Student Reporting Lab.

Arts & Creative
The Diploma Program offers electives in Film, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts. These DP electives support creative practice alongside other IB coursework. The DP Core includes Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS), which promotes personal growth, artistic expression, and community engagement.

Cultural & Language
Language Acquisition options include Chinese, French, and Spanish in the DP, with continued language study available through the MYP track. Students can pursue a bilingual diploma by maintaining language study in the language track. The IB program centers on intercultural understanding and global citizenship.

Social & Hobbies
Esports, Chess, and Cheer are part of the school's athletic offerings, with Chess and Cheer listed among spring sports and Esports featured in fall events. The DCIAA schedules fall, winter, and spring sports for DC International School, including soccer, basketball, cheer, and other activities. An Athletic Booster Club supports student-athletes with fundraising, volunteering, and program growth.

Community & Service
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is a core element of the IB Diploma Program, promoting creative projects, service, and community engagement. Work-Based Learning and internships connect CP students with the professional world through career awareness, exploration, preparation, and paid internships. CP pathways include partnerships with Career-Technical Student Organizations such as Audio/Video Production (STN and PBS Lab), Health Sciences (HOSA), Computer Science (FIRST Robotics, Amazon Future Engineers), and Engineering (FIRST Robotics, E4USA).

Leadership & Professional
Work-Based Learning and internships provide real-world experiences for CP students, linking classroom learning to professional settings. Personal and Professional Skills classes help students develop resume writing, interview techniques, and workplace communication. CP pathways include industry partnerships and certifications to prepare students for college and careers.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
DCI maintains a broad athletics program with fall, winter, and spring sports recognized by the DCIAA. The Athletic Booster Club supports athletes through fundraising, volunteering, and community engagement, contributing to championship-level performance. DC International School has a history of competitive success, with multiple championships and state tournament appearances.
Languages

Language Provision
Students take their language class every day, and electives and other classes are offered in the target language.

Bilingual Teaching
Three language tracks (Spanish, French, Chinese) with daily language classes; electives and core courses may be in the target language; language immersion ranges from 25% to 50%.

Immersion Programs
Language immersion ranges from 25% to 50% in Spanish, French, and Chinese; electives and core courses may be taught in the target language.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
Admissions are open to all DC residents and occur through the My School DC lottery; families cannot apply directly to DCI. DCI accepts applications for Grades 6-9 and offers language tracks in Chinese, French, and Spanish; applicants may apply to one, two, or all three language tracks. Students from DCI member elementary schools have priority for sixth grade admissions; member schools are DC Bilingual PCS, E.W. Stokes Community Freedom PCS, Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS, Mundo Verde PCS, and Washington Yu Ying PCS. There are preferences (Sibling, Children of Staff, Founders); if seats remain after member-school priority, they may be offered to general lottery applicants; there are no prerequisites, no prior IB experience, no minimum GPA, and no minimum language proficiency required.
School Events
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