Enrollment

Welcome to our new and prospective families!

Thank you for visiting our website as one way to gather information about Shepherd Elementary. We encourage you to join us for an Open House, typically held in the Fall and early Winter to give prospective families the opportunity to learn about our school. Please see the school calendar for Virtual Open House dates scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year.

Shepherd Elementary is a public school within the District of Columbia Public School System and currently serves students from PreK3 to Grade 5. All schools in DCPS have an attendance zone within which families are considered "in boundary" and are guaranteed enrollment (when meeting age criteria). Our in-boundary attendance zone includes most residences within the neighborhoods of Shepherd Park, Colonial Village, and North Portal Estates. A database for school assignment matched to an address can be accessed here.

Since 2011, Alexander R. Shepherd Elementary has implemented the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. Shepherd underwent a rigorous, years-long process to receive designation as an IB World School. IB is a trans-disciplinary, inquiry-based approach to learning that focuses on critical thinking skills, socio-emotional development, and one’s place in a rapidly changing global world. In alignment with the IB curriculum, starting in PK 3, Shepherd students take up to three language classes per week in either French or Spanish. Shepherd is one of only three DC public elementary schools that are designated IB World Schools.

A $30 million renovation to modernize and expand Shepherd’s classrooms and other facilities was completed in 2016, which included renovated classrooms, a modern and airy atrium, and a spacious courtyard. The school is adjacent to a renovated public playground and soccer field maintained by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Recently, construction was completed on a new DPR recreation center that is attached to the existing Shepherd Elementary School. The space, which recently opened, includes a gymnasium and dining cafeteria for utilization by Shepherd students during school hours. This project also includes renovation of the school’s existing warming kitchen and cafeteria to a full cooking kitchen and serving area.

Shepherd Elementary is a school of dedicated staff, engaged families and diverse learners who leave Shepherd well-prepared for further academic challenge and growth at Alice Deal Middle School, our feeder. Alice Deal Middle School is considered one of the top-ranked public middle schools in Washington, D.C. Deal students have a right to attend Woodrow Wilson High School, one of the top-ranked high schools in the city.

DCPS provides a measure of choice to families through a lottery system. If you are an out of boundary family, please visit the My School DC website to learn about the options available to all families within DCPS and the public charter, as well as lottery application dates for the upcoming school year.

DCPS manages the enrollment deadlines and  enrollment forms needed to confirm your child’s spot at Shepherd. Students enrolling for PreK3, PreK4, and Kindergarten must be 3, 4, or 5, respectively, by September 30 of their enrollment year. If you are a new student to Shepherd, please visit the DCPS enrollment website for more information and to find the necessary documents for enrollment. If you have any questions, please contact Shepherd’s front office at (202) 576-6140.

If you have any questions for the Shepherd PTO, please reach out to us at info@shepherd-elementary.org. We would love to hear from you and, on behalf of the entire parent community, personally welcome you to Shepherd!