Students and their caregivers have a lot of school options to choose from in the District, so we do our best at OSSE to give them face time with their prospective school communities. EdFEST, DC’s annual public school fair is back in person for the first time since 2019, ahead of the My School DC lottery application opening.
For 2023, EdFEST is split into two events, designed to provide families more focused options for their needs. EdFEST for pre-K 3 through Grade 8 will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DC Armory. EdFEST for Grades 9-12 will be held Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eastern High School. We expect both sessions to be vibrant, fun and informative.
Admission is free. Families can register for EdFEST at www.myschooldc.org/events/edfest. We encourage pre-registration so attendees can quickly and easily share contact information via personalized QR code with the booths they visit.
Interpretation services are available for American Sign Language, Spanish, Amharic, Mandarin, Vietnamese and French.
EdFEST is a great way for families to explore their school options and prepare for the opening of the school lottery application on Dec. 11. The deadlines for the 2024-25 school year lottery application are Feb. 1, 2024, for Grades 9-12 and March 1, 2024, for pre-K 3 – Grade 8.
We chose the locations for ease of access. There are several ways families can get there. For EdFEST (pre-K 3 – Grade 8), free onsite parking is available at DC Armory Lots 1, 2 and 3. The closest Metro station is Stadium-Armory on the blue, orange, or silver lines. Families can also use the Metrobus via routes B2, D6 and 96.
For EdFEST (Grades 9-12), onsite parking and street parking are very limited. The closest Metro station is Stadium-Armory on the blue, orange, or silver lines. Families can also use the Metrobus via routes B2, D6 and 96.
If families are interested in meeting Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) staff, this is a great opportunity! We will send various OSSE teams to both EdFEST events. We will have a booth to share information about offerings including changes to the DC School Report Card and information about the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives. The Division of Health and Wellness will also be present to share information about OSSE’s health programs and services. At EdFEST for Grades 9-12, OSSE’s Career and Technical Education (CTE), Advanced Technical Center (ATC) and College and Career Readiness teams will be available to share opportunities and answer questions.
In addition to OSSE and the participating schools, EdFEST will feature a variety of free services for families. My School DC will have its staff and Parent Advisory Council members available to answer questions about the school lottery process. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and free immunizations for youth are also available. At EdFEST for pre-K 3 – Grade 8, free meals for kids will be provided by DC Central Kitchen, while supplies last.
We can’t wait to see you there! Register today at myschooldc.org/events/edfest.