Admissions
Apply to the common lottery
for school year
2025-2026
The Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School prepares culturally diverse elementary school students in the District of Columbia to be leaders, scholars and responsible citizens who are committed to social justice.
Stokes teaches children to think, speak, read, write and learn in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. With a dual focus on academic excellence and community service, the Stokes School accomplishes its mission by creating an environment of achievement, respect and non-violence.
Learn more about our school below and apply via
Open House Events
2025-2026 Application Season
Events are in person unless otherwise noted
Brookland Campus
-Thursday, December 12, 9:00am
-Thursday, January 16, 9:00am
-Thursday, January 23, 9:00am
-Saturday, February 8, 10:00am
East End Campus
-Wednesday, December 18, 6:00pm [Virtual]
-Wednesday, January 8, 6:00pm [Virtual]
-Saturday January 18, 10:00am
-Saturday February 1, 10:00am
-Wednesday February 19, 6:00pm [Virtual]
Brookland Campus
Tuesdays at 9:00am
East End Campus
Thursdays at 10:00am
Join us for an open house! Registration and open house dates by campus here.
Stokes School teaches children to think, speak, read, write and learn in two languages: English and French or English and Spanish. Learn more.
Stokes School offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program for grades PK3-5. Learn more.
Students experience a supportive and nurturing environment, building social and communication skills while they socialize, cooperate, and learn how to solve problems. Learn more.
Stokes School has been rooted in social justice since its founding in 1998. Learn more.
Learn more about the history of Stokes School.
Click here to see answers to frequently asked questions.
How to Apply
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School participates in the My School DC common application and lottery.
Click here to visit the MySchoolDC site to fill out an application or to learn more about the common application process.
Admissions Requirements
The Elsie Whitlow Stokes School is a D.C. public charter school, and as such accepts applications from all elementary age students living in the District of Columbia.
In order to enter the pre-kindergarten program, students must celebrate their third birthday by September 30th of their first pre-kindergarten year; pre-kindergarten students must also be able to use the bathroom with minimal assistance.
In order to enter kindergarten, students must turn five by September 30th of their kindergarten year.
Penalty for False Information
DC public schools are required to report suspected cases of residency fraud to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) immediately. In some cases, non-residents may attend DC public schools, but they must pay tuition after meeting established criteria. In addition, in order to be accepted/admitted as a non-resident, schools should not have any residents on its waiting list.
Any person, including any District of Columbia public school or public charter school official, who knowingly supplies false information to a public official in connection with student residency verification shall be subject to charges of tuition retroactively, and payment of a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, but not both fine and imprisonment, pursuant to the District of Columbia Nonresident Tuition Act, approved September 8, 1960 and amended by the District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter School Student Residency Fraud Prevention Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Code §38-312). The case of any such person may be referred by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to the Office of the Attorney General.
