My School DC Lottery 2027-28: Opens Dec. 14, High School Due Feb. 1

The My School DC application for the 2027-28 school year opens Monday, Dec. 14, 2026, with grades 9-12 due Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, and pre-K 3 (PK3) through grade 8 due Monday, March 1, according to My School DC. Both deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET. Dec. 14 is 49 days before Feb. 1 and 77 days before March 1. The application portal posts no opening time.

Results post Friday, April 2, 2027, and families must enroll at the matched school by Monday, May 3, 2027. The one-page printable, “My School DC Lottery 2027-28 Family Checklist,” lists every date below with a box to tick.

My School DC 2027-28 dates from opening to enrollment

Weekdays are computed from the calendar. Each step links to the page that lists it. The Feb. 8 recommendations row is the date the high school page lists for selective schools.

Date	Weekday	What happens	Who it applies to
Dec. 14, 2026	Monday	Application opens online	All applicants
Feb. 1, 2027	Monday	Grades 9-12 application due, 11:59 p.m. ET	Grades 9-12
Feb. 2, 2027	Tuesday	Post-lottery application period begins	High school applicants
Feb. 8, 2027	Monday	Selective high school recommendations due, 5 p.m.	Selective high school applicants
March 1, 2027	Monday	PK3 to grade 8 application due, 11:59 p.m. ET	PK3 to grade 8
March 2, 2027	Tuesday	Post-lottery application period begins	All grades
March 12, 2027	Friday	Last day to change school rankings, 5 p.m.	Lottery applicants
April 2, 2027	Friday	Lottery results in your family account	Lottery applicants
May 3, 2027	Monday	Enroll at the matched school	Matched families

The PK3 and pre-K 4 deadline appears on the pre-K page as “Apply to pre-K 3 or pre-K 4 by March 1, 2027 for the 2027-28 school year,” and the About page lists both deadlines too.

Who has to apply to My School DC?

The My School DC frequently asked questions (FAQ) page names three groups: new students at a DC Public Schools (DCPS) school outside their boundary, new students at any participating public charter school, and all new PK3 and pre-K 4 students. In its words, “Families of all new pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 students must complete a My School DC application.”

Some families do not apply. The FAQ says “No application is needed for K-12 students who wish to enroll at their DCPS in-boundary school” and that students “do not need to apply to their right-to-attend school(s) for grades K-12.” To stay at your current school, contact the school to re-enroll. Each child needs one application.

How does the 2027-28 lottery compare with last year?

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) published last year’s dates for the 2026-27 school year. Those are last year’s dates, not this year’s.

Step	2026-27 cycle (last year)	2027-28 cycle (this year)
Grades 9-12 deadline	Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m.	Monday, Feb. 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
PK to grade 8 deadline	Monday, March 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m.	Monday, March 1, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET
Lottery results	Friday, March 27, 2026	Friday, April 2, 2027
Enroll by	Friday, May 1, 2026	Monday, May 3, 2027

Results come six days later this cycle than last year (April 2 against March 27). From the March 1 deadline to results is 32 days this year, and from results to the enrollment deadline is 31 days.

How do you apply for high school in My School DC?

Students can apply to up to 12 high schools on one application, and the FAQ gives the same limit. The high school page says “Submit your application by Feb. 1 by 11:59 p.m.” Families can apply on a smartphone, at a DC public library or at any participating school.

Selective high schools ask for extra information on the application. The high school page lists Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. for selective-school recommendations. Many selective schools require essays, interviews, auditions (Duke Ellington School of the Arts is one) and report cards, and My School DC posts no per-school dates for them.

What happens after the deadline?

Ranking changes stay open until Friday, March 12, 2027, at 5 p.m. Results appear in your family account on April 2. Then comes enrollment: “you must enroll your child at their matched school by May 3, 2027,” and the FAQ warns that families who miss the common enrollment deadline “may lose your space at that school.”

The post-lottery application period begins Feb. 2 for high school applicants and March 2 for all grades. Before April 2, only applicants who did not submit a lottery application may apply, to up to 12 schools. From April 2 there is no restriction on who can apply or on the number of schools. Waitlist offers vary by school and My School DC posts no waitlist dates.

Where can families get help with My School DC?

The My School DC Hotline is (202) 888-6336, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. My School DC also holds “Lottery 101” support events.

Which My School DC dates are not posted?

As of Nov. 14, 2026, the portal gives no opening time on Dec. 14. Selective-school essay, interview and audition dates and waitlist offer dates are not posted either.

Which other school dates fit around these deadlines?

For breaks and holidays in the same school year, see the DC Public Schools calendar for 2026-27. Families with a younger child can compare kindergarten registration dates for 2027-28, and the NYC high school admissions timeline shows another city’s schedule. Mark the days on the December 2026, February 2027 and March 2027 printable calendars.