St. Coletta Special Education Pcs

St. Coletta describes a strengths-based philosophy that assumes all students (including those with significant disabilities) are competent and capable of making meaning from their experiences, rather than “a package to be remediated.” They emphasize learning in natural environments through experience-rich, hands-on projects and collaborative, reflective teaching (teacher as co-learner), rejecting rote/worksheet-driven instruction in favor of meaningful problem-solving, self-expression, and community-based learning.

DC residents apply to St. Coletta Special Education PCS during the school’s open enrollment period by submitting the school’s application (linked on the Student Admissions page) or by applying in person at 1901 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003; after the school receives the application, staff will contact the family to schedule a tour. (stcoletta.org) For the 2026–2027 school year, applications completed between November 3, 2025 and April 30, 2026 are included in the lottery, which is scheduled for May 16, 2026 in a public forum at the school. (stcoletta.org) The school’s program is described as serving ages 3–22 with intellectual disabilities, autism, or multiple disabilities, and students are expected to have at least 24.5 hours of special education services on their IEP; for Maryland/Virginia residents, admission is handled through the IEP process via the student’s local jurisdiction (and the school states it does not accept private-pay students). (stcoletta.org) Applicants who previously applied but did not receive a space must re-submit an application to stay on the applicant list for consideration. (stcoletta.org) Applications received after the open enrollment close are placed on the waitlist and are not included in the May lottery; after the lottery, unselected applicants form house/age-level waitlists, and as seats open the school offers admission in waitlist order (selected families must respond in writing within 48 hours or they are removed and would need to reapply for future openings). (stcoletta.org) The website mentions a sibling preference (and also references a “special education” preference), but does not clearly list any additional priority categories beyond that. (stcoletta.org)