October 18, 2026

The BSF & LSF Annual School Fair at the University of the District of Columbia

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The BSF & LSF Annual School Fair is a forum for Washington metropolitan area families to learn about independent school education and to engage students, teachers, and administrators from more than 70 local and national independent schools and educational programs.

The School Fair is free, and open to the public.

2:00 PM

School Fair Begins

2:15 PM

Workshop Session I

3:15 PM

Workshop Session II

4:15 PM

Workshop Session III

5:00 PM

End of School Fair

Click here and use our event app to navigate once you get to the School Fair.

The School Fair Guide (click here) and learn more about the School Fair below.

Join us at the University of District of Columbia, centrally located in the heart of the Washington metropolitan area. Easily accessible from various communities, our venue ensures convenience for all attendees. We're thrilled to be a nexus where diverse communities converge to explore and celebrate independent education.

Van Ness-UDC
Plan Your Metro Route

2026 School Fair Workshops

We invite parents, students, and educators to join us for a series of informative and enriching sessions designed to empower families in navigating the world of education. Our workshops cover a wide range of topics to cater to different interests and needs.
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2:15 pm

Completing the Admissions and Financial Aid Process
Innovation Hub
B Level
B-109

Jewell Samuel, J.D. and Founder/CEO of the Edukeys, which helps families navigate the independent school admissions process, will share advice and best practices on applying, and seeking financial aid.

Independent School Testing 101A Level
A-01 (Student Organization Suite)

Jennifer Claiborne will present a workshop on the SSAT, ISEE and HSPT. The workshop explains the differences between the tests and outlines test prep strategies.

Closing the Gap:
Money for Education
Innovation Hub
B Level
B-107

Financial Professional Mark Baker will provide financing models and tips to help families finance K-12 and post-secondary education. Learn money strategies to use right now.

3:15 pm

Five Tips for Finding the Right School for Your Child
Postponed
The workshop will take place on Oct 25, 2026 03:00 PM
Zoom (click here)

Dr. Rona Frederick, Author of "Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Families," will provide families with specific tools to evaluate school options, ask important questions, and make informed decisions in choosing a good school.

The Psychology of Independent School Admissions
First Level
110
Executive Conference Room

Psychologist Dr. Linda McGhee will provide insight and lessons on admissions/academic testing and discuss considerations relating to wellness and mental health in the admissions process.

A Better Chance MEET UP at the BSF & LSF School Fair
First Level
113
Ballroom B

A Better Chance (ABC) is a national leader in K-12 independent school access. ABC's Haydee L. Sun-Acosta and Margaret Stolte will present an information session about ABC’s programs, and application process.

4:15 pm

Financial Aid at Independent Schools
A Level
A-01 (Student Organization Suite)

Frankie Brown of Sidwell Friends School and Kevin Mills of Serving Our Children will discuss financial aid.

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AI Awareness Workshop
Innovation Hub
B Level
B-107

Carolyn Solaru, Founder and CEO of The Resourceologist, and Diya K. Wynn, an executive at Amazon Web Services, will present a workshop for parents facing AI in the new millennium.

2026 BSF & LSF
Annual School Fair Supporters

2026 Participating Schools
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Academy of St. Matthias the Apostle

Aidan Montessori School

Alexandria Country Day School

Alpha Chantilly

Annunciation Catholic School

Archbishop Carroll High School

Barrie School

Beauvoir School

Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys

Bullis School

Burgundy Farm Country Day School

Capitol Hill Day School

Cate School

Cheshire Academy

Christ Episcopal School

Christian Family Montessori School

Connelly School of the Holy Child

Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC

Elizabeth Seton High School

Episcopal High School

Evergreen School

Fay School

Fork Union Military Academy

Fountain Valley School

Foxcroft School

Friends Meeting School

Georgetown Day School

Georgetown Preparatory School

Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

Gonzaga College High School

Massanutten Military Academy

McLean School

Mercersburg Academy

National Cathedral School

National Child Research Center

National Presbyterian School

Oneness Family School

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

River School

Sandy Spring Friends School

Sheridan School

Sidwell Friends School

Silver Oaks Cooperative

Springdale Preparatory School

St. Albans School

St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

Stanford Online High School

St. Anne’s School of Annapolis

St. Anselm’s Abbey School

St. Augustine Catholic School

St. George's School

St. John’s Episcopal Preschool

St. Mark's School

St. Mary's School

Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School

St. Patrick’s Episcopal School

St. Paul School

St. Thomas More Catholic Academy

St. Vincent Pallotti High School

The Living Water School

The Springwell School

The Washington School for Girls

The Woods Academy

Washington Christian Academy

Washington Episcopal School

Washington International School

BSF and LSF United For Families

Our missions

Our mission is to advocate for academically motivated African-American and underserved students. The Black Student Fund provides advocacy, academic support, retention strategies, financial assistance, instruction, evaluations, feedback, and monitoring. We create a nurturing environment that fosters success from admission to graduation through our member school partnerships.

The Latino Student Fund aims to provide year-round, out-of-school-time programs that foster a robust academic foundation for underserved PreK-12th grade students and their families in low-income, at-risk communities. They also aim to promote higher education and nurture future professional leaders through holistic support.

Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund Logos