The Special Education Observatory · South Atlantic · South
Special education in District of Columbia
Students with IEPs in District of Columbia, where they spend the school day, and all 71 districts, from 2024–25 federal data.
- 15,580school-age students with IEPs0.2% of the national total
- 16.2%of enrolled students have an IEP0.9 points above the nation (15.3%) · 18th of 51
- 62.9%in general education 80% or more of the day4.9 points below the nation (67.9%) · 37th of 51
- 18.5%in general education less than 40% of the day5.4 points above the nation (13.0%) · 3rd of 51
- 65districts reporting a count2 withheld for privacy
District of Columbia, district by district
Choose a measure. Hover or focus a district for its figure; select it to open its page.
Loading the District of Columbia district map.
Where students learn
Every setting the federal educational environments file reports for school-age students with IEPs in District of Columbia, beside the national share.
- In general education 80% or more of the day62.9%
- In general education 40% to 79% of the day12.3%
- In general education less than 40% of the day18.5%
- Separate school6.2%
- Residential facility0.0%
- Homebound or hospital0.0%
- Correctional facility0.5%
- Parentally placed in private school1.3%
| Setting | Students | Share | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| In general education 80% or more of the day | 9,658 | 62.9% | 67.9% |
| In general education 40% to 79% of the day | 1,778 | 12.3% | 15.2% |
| In general education less than 40% of the day | 2,614 | 18.5% | 13.0% |
| Separate school | 773 | 6.2% | 2.5% |
| Residential facility | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| Homebound or hospital | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Correctional facility | 74 | 0.5% | 0.1% |
| Parentally placed in private school | 204 | 1.3% | 1.8% |
What may be driving it
Where District of Columbia sits among the 50 states and DC on five measures, beside the nation.
- Identification rate16.2%18th highest of 51
- In general education 80% or more of the day62.9%37th highest of 51
- In separate settings10.8%1st highest of 51
- Spending per student$31,5292nd highest of 51
- School-age poverty (estimate)24.6%1st highest of 51
Questions worth asking
- 10.8% of students with IEPs learn in separate settings, against 2.8% for the nation. What share of special education spending follows those placements?[2]
- Spending per student is $31,529, against $17,314 for the nation. How much of the difference is cost of living, staffing levels or special education services?[6]
- An estimated 24.6% of school-age residents live in poverty, against 14.4% for the nation. How do poverty-related needs show up in referrals and services?[5]
Every district in District of Columbia
Search by name or city, filter by kind of agency, and select a column heading to sort. Not published always sorts last.
Showing 71 of 71
| Academy of Hope Adult PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 997 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achievement Preparatory Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 409 | 56 | 13.7% | 76.8% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| AppleTree Early Learning PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 658 | 0 | 0.0% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| BASIS DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 694 | 54 | 7.8% | 92.6% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Breakthrough Montessori PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 386 | 56 | 14.5% | 87.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Bridges PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 369 | 114 | 30.9% | 49.1% | 43.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Briya PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 769 | 0 | 0.0% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Capital City PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,031 | 199 | 19.3% | 81.4% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Capital Village PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 93 | 37 | 39.8% | 54.1% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Carlos Rosario International PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 2,159 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Cedar Tree Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 399 | 51 | 12.8% | 90.2% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Center City PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,447 | 185 | 12.8% | 78.4% | 12.4% | Not published | Not published |
| Cesar Chavez PCS for Public PolicyWashington · Independent charter district | 377 | 77 | 20.4% | 51.9% | 19.5% | Not published | Not published |
| Community College Preparatory Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 500 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Creative Minds International PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 536 | 113 | 21.1% | 89.4% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| DC Bilingual PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 622 | 63 | 10.1% | 85.7% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| DC Jail Education ProgramWashington · State operated agency | 45 | 19 | 42.2% | 0.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| DC Prep PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 2,189 | 311 | 14.2% | 94.2% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| DC Scholars PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 479 | 63 | 13.2% | 81.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| DC Wildflower PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 45 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Digital Pioneers Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 691 | 152 | 22.0% | 68.4% | 7.2% | Not published | Not published |
| District of Columbia International SchoolWashington · Independent charter district | 1,663 | 303 | 18.2% | 84.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| District of Columbia Public SchoolsWashington · Regular school district | 52,299 | 8,088 | 15.5% | 61.5% | 21.4% | 24.6% | $31,529 |
| DYRSLaurel · State operated agency | 130 | 55 | 42.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| E.L. Haynes PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,190 | 223 | 18.7% | 78.5% | 9.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Early Childhood Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 281 | 55 | 19.6% | 74.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 708 | 89 | 12.6% | 95.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Friendship PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 4,417 | 823 | 18.6% | 62.5% | 14.9% | Not published | Not published |
| Girls Global Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 184 | 44 | 23.9% | 70.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Global Citizens PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 198 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Goodwill Excel Center PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 440 | 33 | 7.5% | 75.8% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Harmony DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 183 | 25 | 13.7% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hope Community PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 235 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science PWashington · Independent charter district | 271 | 46 | 17.0% | 84.8% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| I Dream PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 99 | 16 | 16.2% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| IDEA PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 361 | 121 | 33.5% | 67.8% | 8.3% | Not published | Not published |
| Ingenuity Prep PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 802 | 150 | 18.7% | 73.3% | 10.7% | Not published | Not published |
| Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 529 | 94 | 17.8% | 75.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Kingsman Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 346 | 134 | 38.7% | 33.6% | 50.7% | Not published | Not published |
| KIPP DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 7,407 | 1,262 | 17.0% | 44.8% | 20.5% | Not published | Not published |
| Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 573 | 87 | 15.2% | Not published | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| LAYC Career Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 186 | 11 | 5.9% | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| LEARN DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 290 | 28 | 9.7% | 89.3% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Lee Montessori PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 548 | 85 | 15.5% | 80.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 313 | 42 | 13.4% | 81.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Maya Angelou PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 533 | 110 | 20.6% | 55.5% | 25.5% | Not published | Not published |
| Meridian PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 580 | 93 | 16.0% | 77.4% | 17.2% | Not published | Not published |
| Monument Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 131 | 63 | 48.1% | 58.7% | 36.5% | Not published | Not published |
| Mundo Verde Bilingual PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,070 | 139 | 13.0% | 88.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Paul PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 773 | 146 | 18.9% | 51.4% | 16.4% | Not published | Not published |
| Perry Street Preparatory PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 437 | 74 | 16.9% | 52.7% | 23.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media ArtsWashington · Independent charter district | 303 | 55 | 18.2% | 56.4% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Rocketship Education DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,198 | 159 | 13.3% | 78.0% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Roots PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 80 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| SEED PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 247 | 64 | 25.9% | 71.9% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sela PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 303 | 32 | 10.6% | 81.3% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 199 | 16 | 8.0% | Not published | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Social Justice PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 97 | 29 | 29.9% | 62.1% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| St. Coletta Special Education PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 250 | 226 | 90.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 311 | 99 | 31.8% | 86.9% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| The Children's Guild DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 250 | 132 | 52.8% | 22.0% | 66.7% | Not published | Not published |
| The Family Place PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 234 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| The Next Step/El Proximo Paso PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 502 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| The Sojourner Truth School PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 294 | 86 | 29.3% | 88.4% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Thurgood Marshall Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 377 | 88 | 23.3% | 59.1% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Two Rivers PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,032 | 187 | 18.1% | 79.7% | 7.5% | Not published | Not published |
| Washington Global PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 229 | 53 | 23.1% | 75.5% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Washington Latin PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 1,131 | 146 | 12.9% | 91.8% | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Washington Leadership Academy PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 394 | 112 | 28.4% | 58.9% | 13.4% | Not published | Not published |
| Washington Yu Ying PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 702 | 65 | 9.3% | Not published | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
| YouthBuild DC PCSWashington · Independent charter district | 130 | 20 | 15.4% | 65.0% | 0.0% | Not published | Not published |
District of Columbia in the South Atlantic division
The U.S. Census Bureau groups District of Columbia with these states in the South Atlantic division of the South.
| State | Identification rate | 80% or more | Under 40% | School-age poverty | Spending per student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 18.5% | 64.4% | 15.3% | 13.1% | $22,201 |
| District of Columbia | 16.2% | 62.9% | 18.5% | 24.6% | $31,529 |
| Florida | 14.9% | 78.4% | 14.3% | 14.5% | $12,692 |
| Georgia | 13.2% | 60.7% | 18.5% | 16.2% | $15,763 |
| Maryland | 12.3% | 73.4% | 11.0% | 10.3% | $20,208 |
| North Carolina | 13.1% | 71.0% | 11.2% | 15.6% | $12,995 |
| South Carolina | 13.5% | 64.7% | 15.6% | 17.0% | $15,010 |
| Virginia | 14.0% | 70.8% | 9.8% | 11.1% | $17,104 |
| West Virginia | 19.0% | 62.1% | 7.7% | 18.9% | $15,490 |
How these figures are built
Both parts. Rates use only the districts that reported both parts of the fraction. A district missing either part is left out of that rate, never counted as zero.
Not published. Not published means the publisher suppressed the figure to protect student privacy, did not report it, or the count is fewer than 10 students. It is never zero.
- Students with IEPs, school age
- Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21 served under IDEA Part B on the state’s child count date.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year.
- Identification rate
- School-age students with IEPs as a share of all students enrolled in the same districts. A district that sends students to another district’s schools can count residents with IEPs it does not enroll, so its rate can run high.Who is counted: School-age students with IEPs, over all students enrolled prekindergarten through grade 12.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: School-age students with IEPs (IDEA child count), over Students enrolled (Common Core of Data membership).
- In general education 80% or more of the day
- Share of school-age students with IEPs inside the regular class 80% or more of the school day.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in this setting, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- In general education less than 40% of the day
- Share of school-age students with IEPs inside the regular class less than 40% of the school day.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in this setting, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- In separate settings
- Share of school-age students with IEPs in a separate school, a residential facility, at home or in a hospital, or in a correctional facility, taken together. Counted only where all four are published.Who is counted: Students with IEPs ages 5 (in kindergarten) through 21.Source: IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year.Both parts: Students in the four separate settings, over All school-age students with IEPs in the environments file.
- School-age poverty (estimate)
- Estimated share of related residents ages 5 to 17 living in families in poverty, within the district’s boundaries. A model-based estimate with a margin of error.Who is counted: Related residents ages 5 to 17 living within the district’s boundaries.Source: SAIPE school district estimates, Income year 2024.Both parts: Residents ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty, over Related residents ages 5 to 17.
- Spending per student
- Current spending on elementary-secondary education per pupil, as the Census Bureau publishes it: spending for students outside the system’s fall membership, capital outlay and debt service are excluded.Who is counted: All students enrolled in the school system (Census fall membership).Source: Public elementary-secondary education finance data, per-pupil spending by school system (table elsec24t), Fiscal year 2024 (the 2023–24 school year).Both parts: Current elementary-secondary spending, over Fall membership.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. IDEA Section 618 Part B Child Count (file specification 002), district level, 2024–25 school year. data.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. IDEA Section 618 Part B Educational Environments (file specification 089), district level, 2024–25 school year. data.ed.gov. Licensed CC BY. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Common Core of Data, district membership (final), 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Common Core of Data, district directory (final), 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. SAIPE school district estimates, Income year 2024. www.census.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33). Public elementary-secondary education finance data, per-pupil spending by school system (table elsec24t), Fiscal year 2024 (the 2023–24 school year). www.census.gov. Public domain. Retrieved October 4, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, EDGE program. School district boundaries (composite), simplified for display, 2024–25 school year. nces.ed.gov. Public domain.
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