Student Enrollment
Enrollment
Enrollment for School Year 2024 - 2025 Semester 2 is now open. Classes start on February 10, 2025
If you’re interested in enrolling at The Next Step, please fill out the Application Form here.
If you have any questions about enrollment, please call (202) 319-2133 or email enrollment@nextsteppcs.org.
Enrollment Office Business Hours
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Enrollment Policy
As a District of Columbia public charter school, enrollment is free to all students who are residents of the District of Columbia and are between the ages of 16 and 30, who themselves and/or their parents submit completed applications, including all necessary documentation, by the enrollment deadline. Students who are not DC residents will be required to pay tuition. Students must not be older than 30 years of age by the first day of class of the enrollment semester. We enroll twice a year, once each semester. A public lottery is held after the closing of the enrollment period if there are more applicants than spaces available. Students not admitted each semester will be placed on a waiting list in the order of completion of the enrollment package.
The Next Step prohibits discrimination on the basis of a student’s race, color, religion, immigration or citizenship status, national origin, languages spoken, intellectual or athletic ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, sexual orientation, or disability. All the rights, privileges, programs, and activities offered at The Next Step are made available to all students at the school.
Eligibility Requirements
Washington, DC resident
16 - 30 years old
Enrollment Requirements
Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARM) Application
The Next Step PCS offers free nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). We offer supper to students who attend our evening program through our Child and Adult Care Food Program(CACFP). The Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) application supports Food and Nutrition Services, providing students with high-quality meals through federal meal reimbursement. Please complete the below-required application.
Once complete, please email the completed form to enrollment@nextsteppcs.org.
PROOF OF AGE
At least ONE (1) ORIGINAL of the following items:
Birth certificate
Valid driver's license showing the student's name
Valid government or military-issued ID showing the student's name
Passport
Valid INS card showing the student's name
Valid work permit
PROOF OF DC RESIDENCY
Please click here to see a copy of OSSE’s acceptable proof of residency guidelines.
One (1) supporting document is needed from this list to verify residency:
Pay Stub: Issued within the forty-five (45) day-window immediately preceding the school’s review of residency documentation, that contains the name of person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student, shows his/her current DC home address, and shows withholding of DC personal income tax for the current tax year
Unexpired Official Documentation of Financial Assistance from the Government of the District of Columbia: Issued to the person enrolling the student or the adult student within the past twelve (12) months and be current at the time presented to the school, including, but not limited to, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security Income, housing assistance or other programs.
Certified Copy of Form D40: Certified by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue, with the name of person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student as evidence of payment of DC taxes for the current or most recent tax year.
Military Housing Orders: Showing the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student, and their residency or home address in DC, including but not limited to a DEERS statement or other official communication on military letterhead.
Embassy Letter: Issued within the past twelve (12) months showing the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student, indicating that the caregiver and the dependent student or the adult student currently live on embassy property in the District of Columbia or will reside on DC property confirmed by the embassy during the relevant school year, and an official embassy seal.
Two (2) supporting documents are needed from this list to verify residency. The address and name on each of the items must be the same.
Unexpired DC motor vehicle registration showing the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student and his/her current DC home address.
Unexpired lease or rental agreement with proof of payment of rent, in the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student, for a period within two (2) months immediately preceding the school’s review of residency documentation, for the current DC address at which the student actually resides.
Unexpired DC motor vehicle operator’s permit or official government issued non-driver identification in the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student showing his/her current DC home address.
Utility bill (only gas, electric, and water bills are acceptable) with proof of payment of a bill, from a period within the two (2) months immediately preceding the school’s review of residency documentation, listing the name of the person enrolling the student or the name of the adult student and his/her current DC home address.
If you are experiencing homelessness, a ward of the District, or are unable to verify through one of the above methods, please notify the enrollment department.
If you have any questions or need help with the enrollment process,
please visit the school or call (202) 319-2133.