Dust off your lunch boxes and sharpen your pencils because it is back‑to‑school time here in the District! As you check off items on your list, make sure you don’t forget your most important school supply: your library card. Whether your little one is excited to begin school for the first time, your high school senior is thinking about what comes next, or you are continuing your own learning journey, DC Public Library is here to bring joy to discovery, strengthen a sense of belonging for every learner, and help build the resilience needed for a confident, successful school year.
Explore resources, programs, and spaces designed to support learning in real life, all year long.
Does your child have their library card?
We think a DC Public Library Card is the best school supply you could have in your pencil box. Find helpful resources like research databases, educational games, and live tutoring online - all accessible through your library card!
Back to School Events
Explore More Back to School Events
3rd Annual Back to School Bash @ Benning Library
3rd Annual Back to School Bash @ Benning Library
Start the school year strong with your library & community!
Preschool
Your child's very first teacher is you! You play a crucial role in both helping your child get ready for school, and in reinforcing and building on what they are learning in the classroom when they get home. Luckily, it is as easy as STAR - sing, talk and read! Add in some writing, playing and the Library resources listed below and you are on your way to a successful school year!
Video Story Books
Video story books bring picture books to life. They provide enjoyment to beginning readers as well as to pre-schoolers. They reinforce what beginning readers are learning about books and reading at school and at home, and they introduce younger children to early literacy skills even before they start to learn to read.
Reading Lists from NoveList
Once your child starts reading, the best thing children they can do to reinforce their skills is to READ, READ and READ some more!
Sing, Talk and Read (STAR)
There are many ways you can reinforce what your child is learning in pre-school at home. By incorporating STAR: singing, talking, reading, writing and playing into your daily family routine you will be setting your child up for success as a reader.
Books from Birth
Build your home library with Books from Birth! The Books from Birth program, in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is open to all children under the age of five who live in Washington, D.C. All enrolled children receive a free book in the mail each month from birth until they turn five.
Elementary School
When your child enters elementary school, they begin their journey with more structured learning, maybe bringing home homework or working on projects. This is a great time to introduce them to other resources at the library. The place that they enjoyed story time is also the place that can help them succeed at school! The Library is also a place that can help them grow their love of learning as they pursue their interests outside of school.
Live Tutoring
Stuck at the kitchen table trying to solve for "x"? Need some feedback on a writing assignment? Struggling to describe photosynthesis? Tackle tonight's homework with Brainfuse HelpNow!
- Access LIVE tutoring 7 days a week from 1 - 10 p.m.
- Covers core subjects for K-12 students
- Create flashcards, practice tests and study games
- Submit papers to the 24/7 Writing Lab
- Available in English and Spanish
Start Learning with Brainfuse HelpNow
Research Projects
- Do research for an assignment with the Library's list of encyclopedias and other research databases. From documentaries to articles on current events you can find what you need.
- Find the perfect image for your paper, project or presentation with Image Quest.
- Learn about major events and the people that have shaped our world with resources on history and biographies.
STEM
Dive into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with practice exercises, activities and more with science and math databases.
Reading and Learning for Fun
- Help your child become a more confident reader with videobooks and e-AudioBooks. You can also find reading lists organized by grade and theme to help your student find their next favorite book.
- Children in Kindergarten and up can join the Beyond the Book Club! This club invites families to visit their neighborhood library each quarter to get a FREE book to add to their home library with a related activity book and reading recommendations that will help your child grow as a joyful learner.
- Find the joy in discovery all school-year long. Visit your neighborhood library or our online resources to find more resources for reading, listening, watching and learning.
Middle & High School
Entering Middle or High School? In addition to regular homework, you may need to tackle longer research projects, write papers and study for tests. But that doesn't mean that you have to stop reading for fun or exploring what you are passionate about! The Library is here for you to ensure you feel confident as a learner, both in school and in life.
Live Tutoring
Stuck at the kitchen table trying to solve for "x"? Need some feedback on a writing assignment? Struggling to describe photosynthesis? Tackle tonight's homework with Brainfuse HelpNow!
- Access LIVE tutoring 7 days a week from 1 - 10 p.m.
- Covers core subjects for K-12 students
- Create flashcards, practice tests and study games
- Submit papers to the 24/7 Writing Lab
- Available in English and Spanish
Test Preparation
Getting ready for academic and licensing tests? The library can help with test prep. Take practice tests for high school standardized tests and for college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.
Research
- Get to know the individuals who have shaped history and culture with the Library's resources on biographies.
- Research Black Studies with a variety of databases that include access to historic newspapers, eyewitness accounts of historic events and more.
- Dive into Latino Studies with both English and Spanish Langauge resources.
- Cover your research bases by looking up topics in the Library's digital encyclopedias, general reference databases as well as magazines and newspapers.
- Immerse yourself in current events and history in the U.S. and around the world.
- Find the perfect image for your paper, project or presentation with Image Quest.
- Dig into local history with access to current and historic local newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, The Washington Star, The Washington Post, and more.
- Want to learn more about media? Check out the Library's film and music resources.
- Explore art and literature with the Literature Resource Center.
Learning Languages
Learning a new language? Find language-learning resources for more than 70 different languages as well as a variety of E-Books and AudioBooks to help you practice your skills.
STEM
Build your knowledge around STEM with magazines, academic journals, videos and practice exercises for science and math.
Reading and Learning for Fun
- Find reading lists organized by grade and theme to help find your next favorite book.
- Find the joy in discovery all school-year long. Visit your neighborhood library or our online resources to find more resources for reading, listening, watching and learning.
College & Adult Learning
The Library is here to help you as you think about your next steps, whether you are planning to go to college or are starting your career path! With your Library Card, you can find resources to help prepare for the GED, expand your skillset with online classes, learn about financial aid options for college and much more.
College
- Studying for the SAT or ACT? Find practice tests, study guides and more with your library card.
- Learn about your financial aid options, including federal aid and scholarships:
- Federal Financial Aid | Find out about ways to fund your education.
- Financial Aid Finder | Research financial aid and scholarships.
- Smart Scholar | Browse resource guides and scholarships by category.
Adult Learning
- Get help preparing for the GED.
- Take online classes in subjects like math, photography, science, music, art, cooking and many more.
- Build your skills in business and technology with LinkedIn Learning.
- Access job resources from live career coaching, resume and cover letter tips, interview prep and more with the library's online job and career resources.
Vocational Test Prep
Prepare for vocational tests in a variety of in-demand industries with Peterson's Test and Career Prep, including:
- Bookkeeping
- Clerical
- Cosmetology
- Firefighter
- Hospitality
- Law Enforcement
- Medical/Nursing
- Military
- Postal Service
- Real Estate
- Social Work
- Teaching
- Aviation/Transportation
- Journeyman
- Information Technology (IT)
Support for Educators
Are you a classroom teacher, daycare professional or a homeschooling parent or caregiver? Visit our Educator Page where you can learn more about getting an Educator Card, scheduling class visits, providing local history curriculum and more.
Government Education Resources in D.C.
Washington, D.C. has a strong ecosystem of support for learners and their families. Learn about some of the key resources available to you by clicking on the links below!
- DC Public Schools: DCPS serves more than 52,000 students and operates 117 schools across the District of Columbia. Across DCPS, students take part in enriching and challenging experiences that enhance their learning, both inside and outside of the classroom.
- DC Public Charter School Board: DC PCSB is an independent government agency of the District of Columbia. As the sole public charter school authorizer in the nation’s capital, they provide oversight to 134 public charter schools which are managed by 68 independently run nonprofit organizations called local education agencies.
- Homeschooling in DC: In the District of Columbia, parents and legal guardians may elect to homeschool their children. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education provides information, resources and monitoring to families that choose to homeschool.
- My Childcare DC: My Child Care DC makes searching for child care options in DC easy and provides you with the information you need when selecting a child development facility. Use My Child Care DC to explore child care facilities, compare options with ease and connect with high-quality care.
- My School DC: My School DC is the common application and public school lottery for participating public and public charter schools in the District that serve PK3 – Grade 12. My School DC, in partnership with DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the majority of DC public charter schools, makes it easier for families to take advantage of DC's many school options.
- Office of the State Superintendent: OSSE is the state education agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the US Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools to achieve its key functions:
- Out of School Time Programs: Looking for after-school programs for your student? There are more than 400+ programs for you to browse and apply to so you can find the perfect fit for your child's interests and needs.
- Special Education for Students with Disabilities: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children. Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
- Student Attendance: Every Day Counts!: A citywide effort initiated by Mayor Bowser to ensure every student attends school every day. Going to school every day is critical to our students realizing their hopes and dreams.