District of Columbia Language Arts Curriculum
DC sets its own Language Arts sequence, aligned to DC academic standards and built for DC CAPE.
Browse by school level
Elementary School Language Arts
Foundational reading, writing, and language skills, Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Kindergarten ELA
Foundational reading, early writing, and language skills for Kindergarten.
1st Grade ELA
Foundational reading skills, writing, and language for 1st grade.
2nd Grade ELA
Foundational reading, writing, and language skills for 2nd grade.
3rd Grade ELA
Foundational reading, informational texts, and grammar for 3rd grade.
4th Grade ELA
Informational reading, literary analysis, and foundational writing skills for 4th grade.
5th Grade ELA
Reading literature, informational texts, writing, and language for 5th grade.
Middle School Language Arts
Literature analysis, argument writing, and grammar, 6th through 8th grade.
6th Grade ELA
Language and grammar, reading literature, and informational text writing for 6th grade.
7th Grade ELA
Language and grammar, informational reading, and literary analysis for 7th grade.
8th Grade ELA
Informational texts, literary analysis, and argument writing for 8th grade.
High School Language Arts
Grade-level ELA plus American Literature, Creative Writing, and journalism courses.
9th Grade ELA
Reading literature, informational texts, writing, and speaking skills for 9th grade.
American Literature
American literature, informational texts, and argumentative writing for high school English.
Foundations of Journalism
Informational reading, journalistic writing, and language skills for Foundations of Journalism.
Technical and Professional Communication
Speaking and listening, informational reading, and professional writing skills.
10th Grade ELA
Reading literature, informational texts, and argumentative writing for 10th grade English.
11th Grade ELA
Reading literature, informational texts, writing, and language for 11th grade.
Creative Writing
Creative writing, language and grammar, and composition for high school English.
12th Grade ELA
Literature analysis, informational texts, and writing for 12th grade English.
Aligned with the District of Columbia academic standards
Lessons follow DC academic standards and typical classroom pacing, so a student finds the exact skill covered that day and works through it step by step.
- Mapped to DC academic standards, grade by grade
- DC CAPE review built into every course
- Unlimited practice problems with worked solutions
Language Arts Curriculum by State
Select any state to browse its Language Arts courses across the United States.
State Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the District of Columbia Language Arts Curriculum
How DC Academic Standards Work
The District of Columbia sets its own academic standards for Language Arts, organizing reading, writing, speaking, and language skills by grade level.
How the District of Columbia Differs
DC's standards are set locally rather than by a state legislature, and the curriculum includes specialized senior courses such as Foundations of Journalism not common elsewhere.
How District of Columbia Language Arts Progresses
Students build foundational literacy in elementary grades, move into analytical writing in middle school, and choose specialized courses in high school.
How the District of Columbia Assesses Language Arts
DC CAPE tests Language Arts across multiple grade levels, with high school coursework supporting college readiness alongside the assessment.
Common Questions from District of Columbia Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for DC Language Arts?
StudyPug covers Kindergarten through 12th grade, plus senior electives including American Literature, Creative Writing, Foundations of Journalism, and Technical and Professional Communication.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade band - elementary, middle, or high school - then select the course that matches your child's current class name.
Does StudyPug help with DC CAPE preparation?
Yes. Lessons and practice problems are organized around DC academic standards, and the practice sets are based on real exams like DC CAPE.
Does the lesson order match what my child's school teaches?
Courses follow DC academic standards and typical classroom pacing, so the sequence should align closely with what your child covers at school.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and standard and can be worked through at the student's own pace, making them a good fit for home education.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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