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 |