All DCPS School Program Providers are required to register with DCPS before working with DCPS schools. The registration process allows DCPS to learn about your program and ensure that your organization is aware of policies and procedures School Program Providers must follow before working in our schools and any costs associated with using DCPS facilities.

Registered School Program Providers (SPPs) may approach schools to see if their programs align with the needs of their community or if space is available in their building for their program.

Whether simply hosting an organization in the building or collaborating on a program for students, working with SPPs requires an investment of time and resources from both the school and the SPP. Sharing how your organization can support school goals or fill gaps will help the school determine whether your organization is a good fit for their community. 

If your organization is providing a program in collaboration with DCPS, the partnership must be solidified through an official agreement (memorandum of agreement, purchase order/contract). An agreement is not required if you are simply using DCPS facilities and/or not collaborating directly (recruiting students, sharing student data, etc.) with DCPS. 

All staff and volunteers must be cleared through the DCPS Clearance Office before working in a building where DCPS students are present for DCPS programming, including SPPs who are not working in collaboration with DCPS but are operating in a building while DCPS is serving its students. No other clearances will be accepted. More information about obtaining clearances can be found here. 

DCPS buildings are managed by the Realty Office at the Department of General Services. Depending on the nature of your partnership with the school, fees for rent and related services such as custodial support and security may be applied. Building Use Agreements are required even where there are no DCPS students present for DCPS programming at the time your program is using the building.

Any programming provided to DCPS free of charge may be considered an in-kind donation. To adhere with rules and regulations governing donations, organizations offering free programming to DCPS must register their donation information here.