DC Public Schools Reviews
Updated May 29, 2023
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Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
- "The school district pay is good and based upon the collective bargaining agreement of the WTU" (in 78 reviews)
- "The people I worked with were great and supportive and I miss them most about working for DCPS." (in 18 reviews)
- "Disorganized, a nationally recognized biased teacher evaluation system, poor leadership" (in 24 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of DC Public Schools and is not affected by filters.
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- Current Employee, more than 1 year★★★★★
Pros
I want to work in DCPS because I want to make a difference in students life and in their academic life as well.
Cons
Some of the downside to working in DCPS is the lack of funding and research.
- Current Employee★★★★★
DC Public Schools Review
May 29, 2023 - Instructional Coach in Washington, DCRecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
Great professional development and leadership development.
Cons
You often wear multiple hats, which gives you great experiences, but can often put in positions you aren't fully prepared for.
- Current Employee★★★★★
Depends on the School
Apr 5, 2023 - Computer Lab Coordinator/InstructorRecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
* It's rewarding working with kids. * The staff is very kind, and respectful. * The work is easy and there is a lot of downtime (This could be a pro or con depending on your disposition.)
Cons
* I feel overqualified for my position. I would like to help more, but DCPS regulations make it almost impossible. * I don't know what I'm going to be doing until I get to work each day. The entire year I've been working here, I've never been given clear duties or responsibilities. The school relies on my experience working independently too much I think. * Along the same line, it's not clear who my direct supervisor is or what "teams" I am (or could be) a part of. * Lack of consistent communication from leadership to both students and staff. I think the administrations is simultaneously overworked, and either not delegating well or not able to delegate. * The job can be very high stress.
Continue reading - Current Employee, more than 5 years★★★★★
Pros
Pay, Union contract, Depends on the school
Cons
Overworked, always asked to do more no matter how much you're already doing, school may have toxic culture
Continue reading - Current Employee, more than 10 years★★★★★
Quality of Employment in DCPS
May 22, 2023 - Assistant Teacher in Washington, DCRecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
Medical Benefits and union participation
Cons
Constant Change Moral Political Atmosphere Cost of living Who you know
- Former Employee★★★★★
Compensation fair but workload too heavy/
May 18, 2023 - Speech Language Pathologist in Washington, DCRecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
Kids, colleagues, school closings/holiday breaks.
Cons
Impossible paperwork and scheduling demands placed on staff. Carried a lot of work home.
- Current Employee★★★★★
Pros
Helping students, building relationships, good pay
Cons
Politics, politics, politics, mayoral control
- Current Employee★★★★★
Pros
Great pay Great benefits Strong community
Cons
Terrible PD Early career teachers usually struggle in wards 7/8. Go to wards 1-6 if you do not have experience Children often have trauma related issues that cause behavioral issues—if you don’t have training in this, DC schools will be hard for you
- Former Employee★★★★★
Pros
good pay for teachers and staff
Cons
no support in central admin
- Current Employee, more than 5 years★★★★★
Good pay, stressful work environment
Apr 27, 2023 - English Teacher in Washington, DCRecommendCEO ApprovalBusiness OutlookPros
The pay is good for singles and small families.
Cons
The teacher evaluation system is flawed and subjective. Too many micromanagers and last minute initiatives that do not last or make an impact on student outcomes. A large family will not benefit from living and working in this area.
DC Public Schools Reviews FAQs
DC Public Schools has an overall rating of 3.2 out of 5, based on over 850 reviews left anonymously by employees. 61% of employees would recommend working at DC Public Schools to a friend and 45% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has decreased by -7% over the last 12 months.
61% of DC Public Schools employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated DC Public Schools 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.0 for culture and values and 3.4 for career opportunities.
According to reviews on Glassdoor, employees commonly mention the pros of working at DC Public Schools to be career development, coworkers, benefits and the cons to be management, culture, senior leadership.
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