Admissions

 

School Without Walls High School is a District of Columbia Public School.

On behalf of the faculty, parents, students and alumni, we welcome you to the School Without Walls Senior High School admissions process.

The mission of School Without Walls “is to provide every student with a rigorous, college preparatory, humanities program that incorporates global and local resources in an experiential and interdisciplinary methodology to teaching and learning.”

Our school serves as a model of high academic performance to prepare students for success beyond high school. The school’s course options include Advanced Placement and college courses designed to prepare students for rigorous college level work. Our proven curriculum has produced high SAT scores and 94% of students received a Level 4 or 5 on the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) test in English/Language Arts and 73% of students received a Level 4 or 5 in math. The PARCC standardized test is administered to all 10th grade students enrolled in DC Public Schools.

School Without Walls students are accepted into the nation’s premier colleges and universities, and our alumni represent a range of careers and professions in the District of Columbia and nationwide. The Department of Education has recognized School Without Walls as one of three hundred schools in the United States to receive a 2018 Blue Ribbon Award. This prestigious award is the result of consistent student achievement, and our program that emphasizes college readiness.

Virtual Open House presentations

 

For virtual tours of the SWWHS campus, visit  https://vimeo.com/showcase/4956222.

 

Enrollment

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS AND TIMELINE: SY 2025-2026

All students must apply online at www.myschooldc.org in order to be considered.

Requirements to Apply:
Students must submit a copy of their transcript/final report card from the 2022-23 school year. (ex. If your student is applying for the 9th grade, his/her 7th grade report card will need to be submitted). All documentation has to be uploaded onto the online application at www.myschooldc.org.  For more information on how GPAs on calculated, you may view this attachment.   

 Student and Parent/Guardian Interviews:
Each interview panel consists of school faculty, staff and students. We ask that students and parents do their best by being themselves!

 Student Admittance: 
Students are admitted based on their final GPA, recommendation letters, interview, essay, and lottery status. If you have any questions about the lottery process, please contact DCPS’ Critical Response Team at (202) 478-5738, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.

 Please see Timeline for specific dates.

Admissions Timeline for the 2025-2026 School Year

  • Saturday, November 16, 2024| School Without Walls Open House, 10:00-11:30 am

    Please join us for our first open house for the 2025-26 school year. Interested students and families will have the opportunity to hear from staff from each academic department, electives departments, and sports.  During the Q&A, parents and students will have the opportunity to ask more in-depth questions regarding the admissions process. Pre-registration for the Open House is required.  

    • Registration will begin on October 28 and close on November 11.  

    • Please note that registration is reserved for the first 400 families.

      Please register here (Open House Link)  

  • Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 2024 DC EDFest hosted by My School DC 

  • Monday, December 16, 2024 – February 3, 2025 | Online Application Available at www.myschooldc.org 

    • This can be completed anytime between this timeframe with no bearing on acceptance status.  

  • Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | School Without Walls Open House, 5:30-7:00 pm

    • Please join us for our 2nd open house for the 2025-26 school year!

      Interested students and families will have the opportunity to hear from staff from each academic department, counseling department, and athletics.  During the Q&A, parents and students will have the opportunity to ask more in-depth questions regarding the admissions process. Pre-registration for the open house is required.  

    • Registration will begin on November 25 and close on December 6.   

    • Please note that registration is reserved for the first 400 families.

      Please register here: (link forthcoming) 

  • Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | School Without Walls Open House, 5:30-7:00 pm

    • Please join us for our 2nd open house for the 2025-26 school year!

      Interested students and families will have the opportunity to hear from staff from each academic department, counseling department, and athletics.  During the Q&A, parents and students will have the opportunity to ask more in-depth questions regarding the admissions process. Pre-registration for the open house is required. 

    • Registration will begin on January 2 and close on Janurary 12

    • Please note that registration is reserved for the first 500 families.

      You may register at the following link: (link forthcoming)

  • Saturday, February 22 and Saturday, March 1 2025 | Student and Parent/Guardian Interview. Families will be notified (via email) if their student has met the requirements to be interviewed. The interview date and time will be provided.   

  • March 28, 2025 | My School DC Results Available
    Admissions results will be available online at www.myschooldc.org.

  • March 28 – May 1, 2025 | Enrollment for Admitted Students 

    If your student has been admitted to School Without Walls, you can submit enrollment documents as well as Washington D.C. residency verification forms as soon as March 28, 2025. All IEP and 504 documents will be requested after enrollment is completed.  

  • Saturday Tour Day | All students enrolled by April 24th will be invited for a school tour on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

  • May 1, 2025 | Deadline to Accept and Enroll Admitted Students 

    It is imperative that families notify schools of their acceptance for SY 2025-2026 by May 1, 2025, otherwise your spot is released. Accepting a space requires turning in all enrollment documents as well as proving Washington D.C. residency. All IEP and 504 documents will be requested after enrollment is completed.  

    If any spots are available, waitlist students will be offered a seat in order of their waitlist status.

  • June-July 2025 | Summer Bridge Program for All New Students 

Please note that this process and information is subject to change. 

 

Admissions FAQs

How do I apply?

If you are applying to be admitted to the 9th through 12th grades at School Without Walls, all applications must be completed online at www.myschooldc.org. This site describes the deadlines and the process.

What are the requirements for students to apply?

Students must have a 3.0 GPA on their final report card from the previous school year in order to be eligible for consideration. All documentation has to be uploaded to the online application at www.myschooldc.org for rising 9th through 12th graders. If prospective students meet the eligibility requirements, they will be invited to participate in an interview.

What about letters of recommendations or essays?

Letters of recommendation are required as part of the myschooldc application process. An essay will be required if the student is invited to participate in an interview.

When will you accept applications?

Applications will be accepted December 16, 2024, through February 3, 2025. Prospective students may apply only through www.myschooldc.org. See the Admissions Timeline.

I don’t have a computer at home. How do I apply?

Call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336 to complete your application over the phone. The Hotline is also staffed with bilingual staff and equipped with telephonic interpreters to assist families who are not able to communicate in English.

What kind of student should apply to SWW?

SWW is an academically challenging, college preparatory school. All students are eligible to apply. However, only students that meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to an interview.  The student who succeeds at Walls is responsible, confident, takes initiative, comes to school daily, focuses on academics, and demands their education.

Student Admittance 

Students are admitted based on their final GPA, interview, and lottery status. Questions about the lottery process? Please contact the DCPS Critical Response Team at (202) 478-5738, Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

I am interested in seeing the school. Can students schedule “shadow” visits?

Due to the large number of applicants, it is not possible to offer tours to applicants until a student is accepted to School Without Walls. However, two Open Houses are scheduled during the Fall semester.  Shadow days have been discontinued at SWWHS. 

 What if I have a question that isn’t covered here?

Email Director of Admissions Noretia Hardge at noretia.hardge@k12.dc.gov or call 202-645-9690 between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.