Choices are an important part of life. From everyday decisions such as when and what to eat and how to spend our time, to more significant ones like where to live or engage in education, having options allows us to find paths that best suit our individual needs. Yet, we also recognize that access to choices isn’t always equal for everyone.

The educational landscape has become wonderfully diverse in recent years. In some areas, parents today can explore a range of school options: public, charter, magnet, private, single-gender, faith-based, and schools with specialized teaching approaches. Homeschooling networks have also grown, offering families more flexibility in their educational journey.

School options can present families with good choices as not every school works perfectly for every student. Each child has unique learning preferences, social needs, and personal goals. Some students flourish in smaller, more intimate classroom settings with close teacher-student relationships. Others thrive in larger schools with extensive extracurricular and athletics programs. Some families find value in single-gender education, appreciating environments that recognize the nuanced ways children develop socially and academically. For those seeking an education that aligns with their spiritual or cultural values, schools offering holistic approaches can be particularly meaningful.

However, educational opportunities may not be distributed evenly. In Washington, D.C., for example, this becomes apparent when examining school access across different neighborhoods. While the city offers numerous educational choices, not all areas have equal close-by access. According to data published by DC Health Matters,  33% of D.C.’s elementary-age children live in Wards 7 and 8. However, while there are public and charter school options, fewer than 15% of the city’s independent elementary schools are located there. Only about 10% of children in Wards 7 and 8 attend independent schools, compared to nearly half (44%) of students in Ward 3 (per data released by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education.) 

Many of those 10% of Ward 7 and 8 students are able to access independent education thanks to the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, which offers families with demonstrated need a tuition voucher to be used at participating independent schools. Without the OSP, it is likely that independent school enrollment in Wards 7 and 8 would be much lower. The BOOST Scholarship in nearby Maryland provides a similar impact for students, and both programs represent positive steps towards making diverse educational experiences more accessible to more families.

Washington School for Girls is an independent Catholic school for girls located in SE Washington, D.C.  Our school was created with a single vision of expanding educational opportunities for girls in the surrounding community. By offering scholarships, we aim to ensure that financial circumstances don’t limit a student’s educational potential. In addition, our approach goes beyond providing a faith-based environment for girls—we’re committed to helping each student discover their unique path to success.

Our commitment for nearly 30 years now reflect strong results:

• 99% high school graduation rate
• Students placed in diverse high school settings:
  • 28% Charter schools
  • 27% Catholic schools
  • 25% Traditional public schools
  • 11% Public magnet schools
  • 7% Secular or non-Catholic Independent schools
  • 2% Alternative schools

College attendance rates for our alums also highlight the impact of educational choices with approximately 75% of all of our alums across all types of high schools attending college.  The rate is even higher for our alumnae attending choice-based high schools (independent or charter).

These numbers represent real students, each with their own story of growth and potential.

Educational choice isn’t about creating perfect solutions, but about providing meaningful opportunities. By supporting diverse learning environments, we can help more students find educational settings where they can truly thrive. The goal is simple: ensure that every child has a chance to discover their strengths and pursue their dreams.