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About DCPS

How many schools does DCPS have?
DCPS has 123 schools.

How many teachers does DCPS have?
DCPS has approximately 4,000 teachers.

How many students does DCPS serve?
DCPS serves approximately 46,000 students.

How diverse is the student population?
Eighty-one percent of DCPS students are African-American, 11% are Latino, 6% are White, and 2% are self-declared as “Other.”

What is the Chancellor’s vision for DCPS?

• The District of Columbia Public Schools will be the highest performing urban school system in the country.
• The District of Columbia Public Schools will provide an outstanding education to every single student.
• The District of Columbia Public Schools will be the first major urban school district to eliminate the achievement gap.
• The District of Columbia Public Schools will be the first and best choice for families living in the District of Columbia.

What are the school system’s core beliefs?

• We believe that all children, regardless of background or circumstance, can achieve at the highest levels.
• We believe that achievement is a function of effort, not innate ability.
• We believe that we have the power and responsibility to close the achievement gap.
• We believe that our schools must be caring and supportive environments.
• We believe that it is critical to engage our students’ families and communities as valued partners.
• We believe that our decisions at all levels must be guided by robust data.

What is DCPS’s long-term reform plan?
Making Student Achievement the Focus is the District of Columbia’s Public Schools’ five-year action plan.

About the Application Process

Is this the official DCPS application site for teachers, librarians, and service providers?
Yes, this is the official site for all DCPS educator positions. If you are looking for alternative routes to teaching, Teach For America and DC Teaching Fellows are two programs that work with DCPS.

What is the deadline to apply for 2009-2010 teaching positions?
There is no deadline. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled for the 2009-2010 school year.

Do I need to have a license to apply to teach in DCPS?
No, but you will need to apply for a DC license before you begin working in DCPS. It takes approximately 12 weeks for the Office of Educator Licensing and Accreditation to process a license, and we encourage applicants to begin the licensure process as early as possible.  If you currently hold a license from another state, you will have to obtain a DC licence to teach for DCPS.  Your license may qualify for reciprocity if you taught for at least 3 years in the state you hold your license and graduated from a teacher education program.  If you completed a teacher education program outside of DC, please complete the Out of State Approved Program Verification Form.  You must also complete an Employment Verification Form to verify your years of teaching in another state.

How do I obtain a teaching license in Washington, DC?
All information regarding licensing can be found through the Office of Educator Licensing and Accreditation.  You can also find information about licensure requirements here and the links below.  To obtain the license application, please email Educator.LicensureHelp@dc.gov or click here.

• State approved educational programs

• Out-of-state approved program verification form

• Employment verification form for licensure

• Praxis - Teacher Licensure Exams

• Test centers and dates for Praxis I and II

• Praxis test preparation assistance 

Who do I contact if I encounter problems obtaining my license?
Although email is the best method of contact, you can call (202) 741-5881 for assistance or make an appointment. 

I do not have a degree in education. Can I still apply?
Yes, but you must enroll in a teacher education program and passed the required Praxis exams. DCPS has relationships with many local universities and can assist you with enrollment. 

I taught for DCPS previously and am no longer an employee. Do I need to reapply?
Unless you requested an official leave of absence from the DCPS Office of Human Resources, all educators choosing to return to DCPS must apply here.

Help Us Build Our FAQs   

If you don’t see your question answered above, please e-mail Sara So, Coordinator of Recruitment and Selection, at Sara.So@dc.gov. We want to build our FAQs to meet your needs!