The Friendship Cares Extended Day Program is offered at the following campuses for the grades listed:
- Friendship Armstrong Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
- Friendship Blow Pierce Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
- Friendship Chamberlain Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
- Friendship Ideal Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
- Friendship Southeast Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
- Friendship Woodridge Intl. Elementary (Pre-K3-5th grade)
Friendship Cares provides two distinct academic experiences:
- The Explorers Pathway is designed for scholars in Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten only, with a focus on early literacy development through read alouds, dramatic play, and lessons that teach students to positively self-regulate their emotions.
- Before-Care: 7:00 am – 7:55 am
- Aftercare: 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
- Early Release Wednesdays: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- The Junior Scholars Pathway is designed for students in 1st through 5th grades, with a focus on homework help and math and reading intervention. In addition, students will participate in read alouds and independent reading.
- Before-Care: 7:00 am – 7:55 am
- After-care: 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
- Early Release Wednesdays: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
In addition to receiving academic support, Friendship Cares also engages scholars in enrichment opportunities throughout the school year, including arts and crafts, STEM projects, field trips, and recreational activities.
Staffed by early childhood professionals, Friendship Cares maintains a low staff-to-student ratio in compliance with OSSE and D.C. Department of Health regulations.
Weekly Fee: $70. Weekly fee is based on enrollment, not attendance. Friendship Cares does not provide drop-in service.
Please note that Friendship Cares is a licensed, fee-based childcare program. Subsidy and scholarships are available to parents who qualify. Interested in subsidized childcare? Click here to contact our eligibility specialist.
*PLEASE NOTE that we are in the process of licensing our Ideal and Hope Lamond campuses. Until the licensing process is complete, we are not accepting vouchers at these campuses.
Current Friendship Cares parents:
- Credit card payments can be made online at our Parent Portal.
- Your feedback is important. Please complete our Online Survey.
- Interested in subsidized childcare? Click here to contact our eligibility specialist.
New Friendship Cares parents:
- Registration is open and must be completed online through the Parent Portal. Please complete the online application and submit all required, up-to-date documentation and forms as soon as possible.
- Click here to open an account and complete an application. There are no paper applications.
- The online application and all OSSE required forms must be completed and approved before your child is fully admitted and can start the program.
- Friendship Cares is fee-based. Parents pay a weekly fee or are eligible for a subsidy.
- Interested in subsidized childcare? Click here to contact our eligibility specialist.
- PLEASE NOTE that there is currently a waitlist for before and aftercare at our Chamberlain, Ideal, and Woodridge campuses.
For questions, contact Friendship’s Office of Extended Learning Programs at 202.281.1700 or FriendshipCares@friendshipschools.org.