9,524 Open Seats in Wards 7 & 8

In Ward 7, there are now 6,484 students in DC charter schools and 5,648 students in DCPS schools, 836 more students in charters than in DCPS schools.  DCPS calculates its building capacity in Ward 7 schools at 8,300 seats; charter LEA capacity is reported at 7,716 seats. With 2016-17 enrollment, there currently are about 3,884 open seats in Ward 7.

In Ward 8 there are 7,589 students in charter schools and 7,659 students in DCPS schools, 70 more students in DCPS schools than in the charters.  Building capacity in Ward 8 charter LEAs is reported at 11,356 seats with DCPS capacity at 9,532 seats.  In Ward 8 there are currently about 5,640 open seats.

There are about 9,524 total open seats in the two wards.  Nevertheless, charter LEAs are looking to expand east of the Anacostia, anticipating thousands of students and roughly seven more schools over time:

• KIPP, is requesting authority from the Public Charter School Board to open three schools (two expected in Ward 7, one without a designated location) and to increase their enrollment ceiling by 3,000 more students;
• DC Prep is asking PCSB to expand by three schools at least two of which are expected to be in Ward 7 and/or 8; (800 students, according to their application);
• Eagle Academy recently received permission from PCSB to add another school of up to 255 students in Ward 8;
• PCSB approved Rocketship for 750 additional students at a new site in Ward 7 planned at Mass. Avenue near Ft. Dupont.

The PCSB has already authorized 1,005 additional seats this year in Wards 7 and 8; if the KIPP and DC Prep petitions are also authorized charter enrollment increases authorized this year will total 4,700 new seats. An additional 4,700 new seats would obligate DC taxpayers to spend close to add $15 million per year in facility allowance for Wards 7 and 8 charters ($3,124 per student or $14,682,800 annually), even as there are already thousands of empty seats in Wards 7 and 8 with strong programs and facilities to be filled.

Data Sources: OSSE Enrollment Audit; DME Master Facilities Plan (MFP) Update 2015-16.

	2016-17 enrollment	2015-16 DC MFP capacities	Open Seats	% utilized
Ward 7 Charters	6,484	7,716	1,232	84%
Ward 7 DCPS	5,648	8,300	2,652	68%
Ward 8 Charters	7,589	9,532	1,943	80%
Ward 8 DCPS	7,659	11,356	3,697	67%
Total	27,380	36,904	9,524	74%