DC Bilingual Admission Process FAQ’s

Part II

Can I apply if I live in Maryland or Virgina?
If you are not a DC resident, you may apply for admission to DC Bilingual; however it is not likely that you will be admitted. DC public charter schools, including DC Bilingual, are required first to admit all interested applicants who reside in DC. If spaces remain available after all DC residents have been admitted, then non-residents may be accepted. Non-DC residents, if admitted, must pay tuition to attend.

What is the timeline for the process?

• Applications will be accepted beginning January 8, 2007.
• Open enrollment is January 8 through March 23, 2007. All complete applications received during this time will be placed in the lottery. (Siblings of children currently enrolled at DC Bilingual will be accepted prior to the lottery provided there are spaces available.)
• The admissions lottery will be held on March 30, 2007. A drawing will be held at each grade level, first to fill the open spaces and then to create the waiting list.
• All applications received after the open enrollment period will be placed on grade level waiting lists in the order the applications were received, unless there are still openings available. From that time forward, children will be accepted off the waiting lists to fill any remaining spaces. The waiting lists will be maintained through the 2007-2008 school year. Children could be accepted off the waiting list anytime beginning March 2007 through the 2007-2008 school year.
• Families accepted through the lottery will then have two weeks to confirm their intent to enroll at DC Bilingual and complete the necessary paperwork.
• Newly accepted families will be expected to participate in an orientation and enrollment process in the spring and summer of 2007.

What if I don’t apply in time?
Applications received during the open enrollment period will be placed in the lottery. Based on the lottery, children will either be accepted to the school or placed on a grade- level waiting list. Applications received after the open enrollment period (January 8 - March 23, 2007) will automatically be placed on grade level waiting lists in the order that applications are received, unless there are still openings available. Though a few spaces usually open up in the fall, there is no guarantee that children will move off the waiting list.

Remember, too, that even if you do apply during the open enrollment period, there is no guarantee that your child will be accepted.

What is the policy for siblings?
Siblings of children currently enrolled at DC Bilingual will be accepted prior to the lottery provided there are spaces available. If spaces are not available, siblings will be placed at the top of the waiting list for that grade level.

If a child is accepted in the lottery and applications have also been submitted for siblings, siblings will be accepted provided there is space available or they will be placed at the top of the waiting list for that grade level.

How does the lottery work?
The admissions lottery will be held at DC Bilingual on March 30, 2007 and is open to the public. At each grade level, names will be drawn from one lottery pool, first to fill the open spaces and then to create the waiting list. Families will then be notified of their children’s acceptance and will have two weeks to confirm intent to enroll and complete the preliminary paperwork.

All applications received after the open enrollment period will be placed on grade-level waiting lists in the order the applications were received. Any spaces not confirmed following the lottery or that open up after that time will then be filled from the waiting list.

What is the process after my child is accepted?
If your child is accepted through the lottery, you will have two weeks to confirm your intent to enroll in DC Bilingual and complete the preliminary paperwork. If this paperwork is not completed, your child will be withdrawn from the roster and you will have to re-apply. You will be asked to participate in an orientation meeting in the spring and meet with the director or other staff to complete all registration paperwork over the summer. An open house will be held at the end of the summer as well.

How can I get an application or more information?
For more information, please contact the DC Bilingual Office or the CentroNía Admissions Office:
DC Bilingual PCS at CentroNía

1420 Columbia Rd, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-332-4200
Fax: 202-745-2562
Email: dcbilingualinfo@centronia.org
Website: www.dcbilingual.org

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