DC SBOE

One page. Every essential at a glance.

DC's high-school graduation requirements, academic pathways, special-education supports, and college aid, on a single fridge-ready handout.

Published By DC State Board of Education
DC Education At A GlanceFamily Quick Reference
The DC family handout

Every essential, one page.

From graduation requirements to college aid, the four numbers and four pathways every DC family eventually needs to know. Print it, post it, share it.

1 · Graduation: 24 credits

24
Carnegie Units
4 English · 4 Math · 4 Science · 4 Social Studies · 8 electives.
2
CLCP credits
Two must be College-Level or Career-Prep: AP, IB, CTE, or Dual.
100
Service hours
Community-service hours, tracked through the school counselor.
1
State assessment
OSSE state assessment, both DCPS and charter, taken in 11th.

2 · Academic pathways · all four count as CLCP

Pathway
Advanced Placement
International Baccalaureate
Career & Technical Ed.
Dual Enrollment
In short
College-level course + exam, by subject. 38+ subjects.
Coordinated diploma program with HL / SL exams and writing.
Hands-on career strands with industry certifications.
Real college courses, free in DC, on a college transcript.

3 · Specialized supports

IEP
What: Specialized instruction + services + accommodations.
How: Email principal + SpEd coordinator. 120-day clock.
504 plan
What: Classroom accommodations only. No specialized instruction.
How: Same request, different team decision. Yearly review.
EL services
What: Language development + access to AP, IB, CTE, Dual.
How: Home-language survey triggers WIDA screening.
Sensory
What: ASL / CART, Braille, assistive tech, mobility.
How: Document every accommodation in the IEP / 504.

4 · Paying for college

$10K/yr
DC TAG
In-state vs. out-of-state tuition gap, any public college in the country. + $2,500/yr at private HBCUs.
46Q
FAFSA
Down from 108. IRS data exchange. 11 languages. Opens October 1 of senior year.
$80K
TheDream.US
Opportunity Scholarship at partner 4-year colleges, for undocumented DC residents.
Key contacts · keep this near the phone
Ombudsman 202-741-4692
SBOE 202-741-0888
OSSE 202-727-6436
DCPS 202-442-5885
PCSB 202-328-2660
My School DC 202-888-6336
2
Spotted something wrong? Suggest a fix