The number of applications for pre-kindergarten in Washington, D.C. this year has declined significantly, especially in schools serving immigrant communities and dual-language program schools. This shift reflects how federal workforce cuts and the Trump administration’s tightened immigration enforcement policies have already impacted families that previously competed fiercely for coveted "lottery spots" in school admissions. Approximately 32,800 applicants applied through the D.C. Public Schools lottery system for the 2026–2027 pre-K year, a 14% decrease from last year. The decline is even more pronounced in dual-language schools with predominantly Spanish-speaking populations and in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of immigrants—dropping by nearly 25%. Across all grade levels combined, total applications fell by 6.5%. Behind this trend lies a broader demographic challenge facing Washington, D.C.: a sustained decline in birth rates over the past decade, coupled with a shrinking federal workforce that has left thousands of families in uncertainty, a sharp reduction in new immigrants moving into the city, and growing fears among immigrant communities about law enforcement actions. Together, these factors are leading to a decreasing number of school-aged children entering the city’s school system—a development that will impact the district’s schools, as educational funding is allocated based on student enrollment.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862330821127178/
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