People who work in the National Capital Region commute from over 20 counties in Maryland and Virginia, plus the District of Columbia. School requirements vary depending on where you choose to live. Please check the individual school district for their specific requirements (see contacts/links).
While you should verify specific school requirements with the individual school system, general information regarding registering your children in the DC, Maryland and Virginia, public schools follows:
District of Columbia: Students should register at the school they plan to attend. Students are guaranteed placement at their neighborhood school. If students want to attend an out-of-boundary school (a school other than their neighborhood school), they must go through the out-of-boundary application process.
When you go to register your children, you should take the following documents with you:
-- Proof of your children's birth date
-- Legal proof of residency (i.e., settlement papers, rental contract, etc)
-- Record of immunization
Maryland: Students new to the school system are asked to register at the school they will attend (this depends on where you live).
When you go to register your children, you should take the following documents with you:
-- Proof of your children's birth date
-- Legal proof of residency (i.e., settlement papers, rental contract, etc)
-- Record of immunization
-- Student transfer card or last report card from previous school
Virginia: Individual schools schedule new-student registration dates in early August. However, students may be enrolled at any time, and parents are urged to enroll their children as soon as possible after arrival in the area.
When you go to register your children, you should take the following documents with you:
-- The presence of a natural or adoptive parent (a photo ID of the parent may be requested)
-- Proof of your children's birth date
-- Legal proof of residency (i.e., settlement papers, rental contract, etc)
-- Record of immunization
-- Student transfer card or last report card from previous school
-- Social Security number (requested)
-- Certificate of a recent (within 12 months) physical examination
Private Schools: Information on private and independent elementary and secondary schools in the National Capital Region is available through the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Another excellent resource for additional information is the "Independent School Guide," a directory of over 300 private schools and educational programs for children that may be found in area bookstores and libraries.
The following information is provided for your general information only, please contact the individual school district for the most up-to-date requirements.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC) GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: A student must earn 23.5 Carnegie Units to graduate. One Carnegie Unit equals two semesters of study in a particular subject.
DC Graduation Requirements
| Subject |
# of Units |
Comments |
| DC Government/History |
0.5 |
US Government |
| |
0.5 |
US History |
| |
1.0 |
World Geography |
| |
0.5 |
World History |
| |
1.0 |
|
| Career/Vocational Ed |
1.0 |
|
| English |
4.0 |
|
| Art |
0.5 |
|
| Social Studies |
3.5 |
DC History required |
| Music |
0.5 |
|
| Foreign Language |
2.0 |
|
| Math |
3.0 |
|
| Health/Physical Ed. |
1.5 |
|
| Science |
3.0 |
|
| Elective |
4.5 |
|
| Community Service |
|
100 Hours |
| TOTAL |
23.5 |
|
Banneker Senior High and Duke Ellington School of the Arts must earn 26.0 Carnegie units.
MARYLAND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: A student must earn a minimum of 20 credits in grades 9-12. At least 4 of the credits must be earned after the completion of grade 11. To be awarded the diploma, a student must earn the following specified core credits as part of the 20 credit requirement:
Maryland Graduation Requirements
| Subject |
Credits |
| English |
4 |
| Social Studies |
3 |
| Mathematics |
3 |
| Science |
2 |
| Physical Education |
1 |
| Fine Arts |
1 |
| Practical Art |
1 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Total |
20 |
In addition to the credit requirement, students must pass the Maryland Functional Reading, Math, Citizenship and Writing Test in order to receive a diploma.
VIRGINIA GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: To graduate from high school, students shall meet the minimum requirements for the 21-credit diploma outlined below for grades 9-12. Students who graduate with an average grade of "B" or better will receive a Board of Education Seal on the diploma. Students in grades 7-12 receive credit toward graduation for high school courses taken in the 7th and 8th grades in foreign language, algebra, and geometry. These courses will count toward credits in the foreign language and mathematic sequences as well as toward the total number of credits required for graduation.
Virginia Graduation Requirements
| Course |
Units |
| English |
4 |
| Mathematics |
2 |
| Laboratory Science |
2 |
| Math or Lab Science |
1 |
| American Studies US History, US Government & World Studies) |
3 |
| Fine or Practical Arts |
1 |
| Health and Physical Ed |
2 |
| Soc Studies or Foreign Lang |
1 |
| Electives |
5 |
| Total |
21 |
There is no high school on Bolling AFB.
The Bolling Community Programs Office manages a School Bus Transportation Program that provides educational options through school bus transportation for military dependent children in grades K-12 who live in government quarters in the District of Columbia. Students eligible to use this transportation service may attend a variety of DC public schools as well as private schools in the immediate metropolitan area.
The "School Bus Transportation Program Guide" is made available through the Community Programs Office and provides specific information on which schools are available through the school bus transportation service. You are strongly encouraged to obtain a full school bus transportation program package that will include your guidebook as well as other assorted support materials. To obtain this package, contact the Community Programs Office or ask your sponsor to send the information package to you.
Washington School Districts:
District of Columbia Public Schools
Arts & Technology Public Charter School Agency
Booker T. Washington Public Charter School Agency
Cesar Chavez Public Charter School Agency
Children Studio School Public Charter School Agency
Ballou High School District: District of Columbia Public Schools
3401 4th St SE Type: Public
Washington, DC 20032 Level: High
District of Columbia County Enrollment: 1090
Phone: (202) 645-3400 Student/Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1
Ballou Stay District: District of Columbia Public School
3401 4th St SE Type: Public
Washington, DC 20032 Level: Elementary, Middle, High
District of Columbia County Enrollment: 400
Phone: (202) 767-7225 Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A
Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School District: Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter
421 Alabama Avenue SE Type: Charter
Washington, DC 20032 Level: High
District of Columbia County Enrollment: 156
Phone: (202) 563-6862 Student/Teacher Ratio: 11 to 1