D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A5001
All pre-K age and school aged children or eligible adult students who establish bona fide residency in the District of Columbia, may attend a District of Columbia public school or District of Columbia public charter school (collectively a "District public school"), a publicly funded pre-Kindergarten ("pre-K") program in a community-based organization, or other school or educational program with funding provided by the District of Columbia, free of charge.
A resident student shall have priority over a non-resident student seeking admission to a District public school, or other school or educational program with funding provided by the District of Columbia.
In the absence of evidence to the contrary, residency for students under eighteen (18) years of age and not emancipated shall be presumed to be the bona fide residence of the student's parents, guardian, custodian or other primary caregiver, as defined in this chapter.
For the purposes of Sections 5001 to 5005, adult students, self- supporting or the parents, guardians, custodians, or other primary caregiver of a minor student, shall be referred to as the person seeking to enroll the student.
The District of Columbia is the bona fide residence of the person seeking to enroll the student if:
In the event the student's parents do not maintain the same residency and do not have a formal custodial agreement entered into by a court of competent jurisdiction, the student shall be presumed to be a resident, if one of the parents has established bona fide residency in the District.
In the event the student's parents do not maintain the same residency but do have a formal custodial agreement entered into by a court of competent jurisdiction awarding physical custody and legal custody to one or both parents, the student shall be presumed to be a resident, if:
A student experiencing homelessness is not required to establish residency as a condition of enrollment in a District public school. The appropriate school official shall notify OSSE when a student is experiencing homelessness or may be suspected of experiencing homelessness and shall work with OSSE, as appropriate, to ensure proper identification and promptly provide the student with the available services and assistance required by the McKinney-Vento Act, and provide notice of the student's educational rights.
An undocumented student is not required to provide proof of immigration status as a condition of enrollment in a District public school. The residency of an undocumented student, who is eligible for admission to a DCPS or public charter school, is established in accordance with Subsection 5004.7.
The residency of a ward of the District of Columbia, who is eligible for admission to a DCPS or public charter school, is established in accordance with Subsection 5004.8.
The residence of an adult student, who is eligible for admission to a DCPS or public charter school, is not the residence of the adult student's parents, custodian, guardian or other primary caregiver, unless the adult student establishes residency in accordance with Subsection 5004.9.
The residency of a child of a minor parent, who is eligible for admission to a DCPS or public charter school, is established in accordance with Subsection 5004.10.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5, r. 5-A5001