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Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School operates across two DC campuses, Brookland and East End, serving students from PK3 through fifth grade (ages 3 to 11). The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in a dual-immersion framework, with English plus a target language (Spanish or French) for content-area instruction. From Pre-K, 90% of instruction is in the target language; kindergarten to fifth grade use roughly half English and half the target language, with native-speaking teachers leading lessons. The campus facilities include a kitchen that prepares three meals daily from local ingredients, a garden program, a library, a music and art room, and outdoor spaces. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association and participates in Label FrancEducation and Learn24. Support services include MTSS and English Learner supports, with targeted 1:1 or small-group instruction as needed. The program emphasizes inquiry-based learning, intercultural understanding, and student voice.
5600 East Capitol St NE, Washington, DC 20019, United States
The Essentials
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School has 707 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in English, French, Spanish.
Location
The school operates two campuses in Washington, DC. Brookland Campus is located at 3700 Oakview Terrace NE, Washington, DC 20017. East End Campus is located at 5600 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019. Both campuses are in Northeast Washington, DC.
Stages
PK3-5 (Pre-K through 5th grade).
Type
Public Charter School
Additional learning support
English Language Learner (ELL) support and language support services; target language teachers are native speakers or fluent in French or Spanish; ACTFL Can Do statements guide language progression and the ACCESS assessment supports planning.
School day structure
Pre-K provides instruction in the target language 90% of the time and English 10% of the time; classes are mixed-age for 3- and 4-year-olds with a two-year cycle. Kindergarten through grade 5 follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program curriculum in two languages, with about 50% of time in English and 50% in the target language.
Fees
Annual tuition at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School ranges from USD 0 to USD 24,044 for 2026/27.
Application fees - There is no separate application fee charged by Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School for students applying through the My School DC common application and lottery; families apply via the My School DC system.
Tuition fees (by year group / term / overall) - For District of Columbia resident students, there is no tuition charged: Stokes School operates as a D.C. public charter school and does not assess annual tuition for resident scholars. - For non-resident students, the school notes that non-residents may be required to pay tuition under District law; specific non-resident tuition amounts or per-term schedules are not published as a standard annual tuition schedule on the school's public materials. Families subject to non-resident tuition should consult the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the school's enrollment office for the exact charge and billing arrangements.
Published school-year / per-term fees - School meals: Breakfast, snack and after-school supper are provided free to all students. Lunch is available at USD 4.50 per meal. This USD 4.50 per-meal rate applies when families purchase lunch rather than qualifying for free or reduced-price benefits. Families are encouraged to submit applications for free or reduced-price meals if eligible.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Meal billing is handled according to the school's meal program and Meal Charge Policy; lunch is charged at the per-meal rate above and the Meal Charge Policy governs collection of unpaid meal charges and delinquent accounts. Families are directed to complete the school's meal application to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Specific monthly or term billing cycles for paid lunches are not listed in the public summary; families should contact the school operations staff for account setup and payment timing.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. Stokes School is a day public charter school with Brookland and East End campuses; there is no boarding program or boarding fee listed.
Other costs and fees (uniforms, supplies, extracurriculars, trips, aftercare) - Uniforms / dress code: The school's family/student handbook and school policies contain the school's dress-code/uniform expectations and any related guidance; specific uniform purchase costs are not published as a standardized school fee. Families should expect routine costs for required uniforms, school supplies, and occasional class or field-trip fees where applicable. - Optional programs and extracurriculars: Fees for optional or third-party programs (for example some after-school offerings, field trips, or enrichment providers) may be charged separately when those activities are offered; such fees are assessed only for optional services and are not a substitute for general tuition. Details and current prices for optional program fees are provided by the school when each program is offered.
Refund information - Meal refunds and handling of unpaid meal charges are governed by the school's Meal Charge Policy and related federal/state program rules; the Meal Charge Policy describes the school's approach to insufficient funds and delinquent accounts for school meals. Refund rules for other fees (for example for optional paid activities or program withdrawals) are covered in the school's Family and Student Handbook or in the specific program terms; families should consult the relevant policy or program agreement for precise refund deadlines and penalty rules.
Fee payment options - The school's publicly posted pages do not list a single, published payment portal or exhaustive list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, check, cash). For meal accounts and any payable programs, families should contact the campus operations staff to arrange payment and confirm accepted payment methods and online account options. Contact for operations: - Brookland Operations Manager: Mirsa Lopez — 202-265-7237. - East End Operations Manager: Nancy Cruz — 202-975-2100.
Concise summary (what a parent needs to know) - There is no application fee for families applying through the My School DC common application. - Resident students pay no annual tuition; the only standard per-student public charge published by the school is the per-lunch fee of USD 4.50 when not eligible for free or reduced-price meals. - Boarding is not offered. Additional charges (uniforms, supplies, optional activities, aftercare) may apply from time to time and are handled separately. Families should contact the campus operations staff for payment arrangements, precise program fees, and any account or refund questions.
Academics
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 3 to 11.
Curriculum
The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for PK3-5. The academic program is structured around a dual-immersion model where students learn language (English and Spanish or French) through the content areas. The IB program exists worldwide and promotes high-quality, challenging international education. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The PYP curriculum framework emphasizes inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning with a student-centered approach and ownership of learning. IB Learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, knowledgeable, principled, communicators, caring, risk-takers, balanced, reflective, open-minded.
Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes and team teaching with a learning specialist assigned to each grade level.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Peace of Mind Mindfulness Curriculum is a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program used across the school. It combines mindfulness, conflict resolution, and social justice education for students from early childhood through middle school. Students learn mindfulness to regulate emotions, practice kindness, empathy, and gratitude, and educators provide ongoing support with dedicated Peace of Mind lessons to reinforce a shared language for social-emotional needs.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Elsie Whitlow Stokes uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Services (MTSSS) to provide personalized supports for academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. A Schoolwide Student Support Services (SST) team collaborates with families and staff to review data and implement targeted interventions, with referrals for special education evaluation as needed. A 504 Plan provides accommodations for students with disabilities, and the Special Education Program offers individualized instruction through an IEP with related services such as speech or occupational therapy. School Counseling Services address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Learner (ELL) services provide specialized supports for students whose primary language is not English and who need assistance in developing proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. These services are designed for students identified as English Learners through language assessments to ensure equitable access to the curriculum while building English proficiency. Teachers facilitate language learning from explicit skill instruction, content-based instruction, and task-based instruction, and data is used to plan to meet student language needs.
Mental Wellbeing
Peace of Mind supports mental wellbeing by teaching mindfulness-based strategies for emotion regulation, compassion, and resilience, with brain science grounding. The program includes conflict resolution skills and applies these skills to students' voices and actions. School Counseling Services provide additional mental health support through debriefing sessions, long-term individual counseling, peer counseling, and brief family counseling to strengthen home–school collaboration.
Safeguarding
Wellness Policy is part of the Student and Family Policies, alongside policies for Preventing and Addressing Student Sexual Abuse by Staff, Preventing and Addressing Student-on-Student Sexual Harassment, and a Bullying Prevention Policy. These policies establish safeguarding and child protection standards for the school community.
Admissions
Admissions
The school participates in the My School DC common application and lottery. Open House events are offered for the 2026-2027 application season at the Brookland Campus and East End Campus. Language immersion teaches in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for PK3–5. Applications are accepted from all DC residents. Pre-kindergarten requires a child to be three by September 30 of the first pre-kindergarten year and to be able to use the bathroom with minimal assistance; kindergarten requires turning five by September 30 of the kindergarten year.
Waitlist
Lottery results are released on March 28, 2025. If matched, enrollment must occur by May 1, 2025. After that date, the school will begin making offers to the waitlist as space allows.
FAQs
What curriculum does Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School follow?
The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for PK3-5. The academic program is structured around a dual-immersion model where students learn language (English and Spanish or French) through the content areas. The IB program exists worldwide and promotes high-quality,.
What age range does Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School serve?
The school serves students aged 3 to 11. PK3-5 (Pre-K through 5th grade).
Where is Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School located?
The school operates two campuses in Washington, DC. Brookland Campus is located at 3700 Oakview Terrace NE, Washington, DC 20017. East End Campus is located at 5600 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019. Both campuses are in Northeast Washington, DC.
Does Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School provide SEN support?
Elsie Whitlow Stokes uses a Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Services (MTSSS) to provide personalized supports for academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. A Schoolwide Student Support Services (SST) team collaborates with families and staff to review data and implement targeted interve
What wellbeing support does Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School offer?
Peace of Mind Mindfulness Curriculum is a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program used across the school. It combines mindfulness, conflict resolution, and social justice education for students from early childhood through middle school. Students learn mindfulness to regulate emotions, p
How do I apply to Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School?
The school participates in the My School DC common application and lottery. Open House events are offered for the 2026-2027 application season at the Brookland Campus and East End Campus. Language immersion teaches in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. The school offers the In
What type of school is Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School?
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School is a Co-educational school with 707 students. Public Charter School
What languages are taught at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School?
English is the instructional language, paired with French or Spanish as the partner language. The school teaches in English and French and English and Spanish. The dual-language immersion model supports learning in both languages across core subjects. The program serves PK3-5.
What is the history of Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School?
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School opened in 1998 in the basement of St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church in Northwest DC with 35 kindergarten and first-grade students. By fall 2002, after adding a grade each year, the school moved to the corner of 16th and Park
What extracurricular activities are available?
Music and art are offered on a rotating basis in Pre-K. The school has a dedicated music and art room in the building to support arts education. These spaces and practices are part of the IB framework and daily learning.
What are the school hours at Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School?
Pre-K provides instruction in the target language 90% of the time and English 10% of the time; classes are mixed-age for 3- and 4-year-olds with a two-year cycle. Kindergarten through grade 5 follow t
