FAQ

This page was last updated on August 22, 2020.

Enrollment

How do I enroll my child at Creative Minds? 
We accept applications through the My School DC common lottery. To apply and for more information on lottery dates, please visit: http://www.myschooldc.org.

The School Day

What are the school’s hours?

Creative Minds is starting the 2020–21 school year on a virtual schedule, with all students learning remotely. These are the hours of the school day for remote learning:

Preschool–4th: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
5th–8th: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A remote school day will consist of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. While students are learning remotely, each Wednesday of classes will be a half day of professional development for staff.

If Creative Minds offer hybrid (remote/in-person) schedules, these will be the hours of the school day for students learning in the school building:

Preschool–4th: 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
5th–8th: 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An in-person school day will have staggered start and dismissal times to support social distancing. Details will be released in a Welcome Packet for In-person Learning.

When all students return to the school building, and no remote schedules are offered, the school day will begin at 8:45 a.m. It will end at 3:30 p.m. for preschool through 4th grade and at 4:00 p.m. for 5th through 8th grades.

School Hours: All Students on an In-person Schedule
Before School 7:30 a.m.–8:15 a.m.
Breakfast 8:15 a.m.–8:35 a.m.
Start of the school day 8:45 a.m.
Dismissal for preschool–4th grade 3:30 p.m.
After School, for preschool–4th grade 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Creative Clubs for 1st–4th grades 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Dismissal for 5th–8th grades 3:30 p.m.
Creative Clubs for 5th–8th grades 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.

What is the cost of school lunch, and how do I enroll my child?

Families may qualify for free and reduced-price meals on the basis of income. Families who qualify for this program do not pay anything for school lunch. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out an application in English, Spanish, or Amharic and submit it to frontdesk@creativemindspcs.org.

While students are learning on an all-remote schedule, Creative Minds is offering weekly delivery of seven breakfasts and seven lunches to students and other children in their households; enrollment in our meal-delivery program is required. The program will continue until December 31, 2020.

Meals and delivery are free for all families, whether or not they have qualified for free and reduced-price meals.

All Creative Minds students and other children in their households are eligible for meal delivery. Children must be younger than 18, though they do not need to attend our school or be related to a Creative Minds student to receive meals.

Find more information about the meal-delivery program, including registration links, at our Nutrition & Wellness page.

When all students return to in-person learning, we will resume offering free breakfast to all students at school. For students who choose to purchase school lunch, the cost will be $5.50 per meal. Families pay a monthly fee according to the following billing schedule:

School Lunch Billing Schedule
Month Fee
August $27.50 (5 meals)
September $104.50 (19 meals)
October $115.50 (21 meals)
November $88.00 (16 meals)
December $77.00 (14 meals)
January $99.00 (18 meals)
February $93.50 (17 meals)
March $110.00 (20 meals)
April $88.00 (16 meals)
May $110.00 (20 meals)
June $77.00 (14 meals)

Please visit our Nutrition and Wellness page for further information about our Lunch Program, including monthly menus.

Enroll in the School Lunch program at this page.

Invoices & Payments

When am I invoiced for services such as school lunch or Extended Creative Days?

All invoices are typically sent on the last business day of the month. Families have five (5) days to pay the invoice. If after five (5) days an invoice remains unpaid a reminder is sent indicating payment must be made within ten (10) days of the invoice issue date. If no payment is received within ten (10) days of the invoice issue date families will receive a letter indicating a student’s ability to participate in the program has been terminated and participation in the program will be withheld until payment in full is received. Late fees may also be assessed.

Extended Creative Day

Is Creative Minds offering Before School, After School, and Creative Clubs while all students are learning on a remote schedule?

During remote learning, Creative Minds is not offering Before School, After School, and Creative Clubs.

With any return to in-person learning, we plan to offer After School for students who are in the school building. Details will be released in a Welcome Packet for In-person Learning.

At this time, we do not anticipate offering Before School if we return to any in-person learning during the 2020–21 school year. Before a return to learning in the school building, Creative Minds will assess the feasibility of offering Before School and inform families if the program will be in operation.

Visit our Extended Creative Day page more information about this program.

Whom do I direct all my ECD questions to?

Email Shannon Smith, Extended Creative Day coordinator, at shannon.smith@creativemindspcs.org.

Explore