DC Charter Schools Celebrate National Charter Schools Week, Urge Policymakers to Close $2,000 Funding Gap
Washington, DC – More than 30 years after DC's first public charter schools opened their doors, the sector stands as one of the oldest and largest in the country — serving as a catalyst for educational innovation and equity in the nation's capital.
This week, the DC Charter School Alliance joins the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in kicking off National Charter Schools Week. This year’s national theme is ‘Building the Workforce Tomorrow’, and the DC Charter School Alliance is marking the occasion by highlighting the transformative Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs preparing DC students and adult learners to thrive in the workforce of the future. DC Charter schools serve 48,000 students; nearly half of all public school students in the city, from age 3 through adult, across 66 non-profit organizations running 132 schools. More than 90% of students who choose to attend public charter schools are Black or brown, nearly 10% are English-language learners, and 60% are economically disadvantaged.
"Charter schools are doing the work to prepare students and adult learners with the real-world skills employers need. But our ability to deliver on that promise is directly tied to whether schools are funded equitably," shared Ariel Johnson, Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance. "With the city currently engaged in the FY27 budget process, we are urging policymakers to ensure charter school students are not left behind. Closing the $2,000 per-pupil funding gap isn't just the right thing to do. It's how we ensure that 'building the workforce of tomorrow' isn't just a theme, but a reality for every DC student, regardless of which public school they attend."
At a time when many DC residents are navigating unemployment and economic uncertainty, charter school CTE programs offer more than a credential: they offer a concrete pathway toward financial stability and long-term success. Through partnerships with higher education institutions, non-profits and government agencies, these schools provide training at no cost to students in high-demand fields such as hospitality, culinary arts, construction, healthcare, IT, and more. There are currently 24 public charter schools in the District that offer CTE programs, including 10 adult charter schools, which serve 5,100 adult learners.
"Adult charter schools are a vital engine of the District's economy," said Erick Quinteros, a Carlos Rosario Public Charter School graduate who, after completing the school's English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Paraeducator programs, went on to earn a Master's degree and teach 3rd grade in DC. "When you support adult charter schools like Carlos Rosario, you are building DC's workforce, strengthening families, and creating the future leaders of our city."
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About the DC Charter School Alliance
The DC Charter School Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for DC charter schools and their students. Learn more at www.dccharters.org.
