What ages and program levels does DC Way Academy offer?Travel teams serve boys from about U7 through U15 (birth years 2011–2019) and girls from about U7 through U16 (birth years 2010–2019). Supplemental offerings include Capitol Hill Spring League for preschool through second grade, weekly skills clinics through fourth grade, Challenge Level for third through sixth graders, Kids Academy for ages four through nine, goalkeeping school for ages seven through sixteen, private lessons starting at age four, one-day camps on many school days off, and adult skills clinics.
About
DC Way Academy is a Capitol Hill travel soccer club that pairs competitive team play with a development-heavy training model. Travel rosters focus on boys from about U7 through U15 (birth years 2011–2019) and girls from about U7 through U16 (birth years 2010–2019). Those teams compete in MSI, MDSL, MCL, and EDP depending on age and level, while younger players and families seeking lighter commitment can use the club’s Capitol Hill Spring League, weekly skills clinics, Kids Academy, Challenge Level bridge programming, goalkeeping school, private lessons, and one-day camps.
Player pathways and programs
The travel side emphasizes technical sharpness, tactical intelligence, and high-tempo training that carries into league and tournament play. The Challenge Level track serves third through sixth graders who want one structured practice per week plus Metro Community League games on Sundays around Capitol Hill and Alexandria. The Capitol Hill Spring League keeps preschool through second grade in a small-sided, Saturday game rhythm at Brentwood Hamilton Park, with optional weekday skills add-ons at Gallaudet, RFK Fields, Sherwood Recreation Center, or Brentwood depending on division. Weekly skills clinics target preschool through fourth grade; Kids Academy mixes soccer and multi-sport blocks for ages four through nine; goalkeeping school runs in age bands from seven through sixteen.
Coaching philosophy and analysis
Training treats the game as the primary teacher: sessions stress reading space, timing, decision-making under pressure, emotional resilience, and creativity. Staff film matches with Veo cameras, and an analyst group based in Italy turns footage into reports that shape session planning and individual feedback. Development is organized around four pillars—technical, tactical, mental, and social—with mental well-being treated alongside physical growth.
Facilities and game locations
Travel training commonly uses turf sites such as the Fields at RFK Campus, Gallaudet University, Eliot-Hine Middle School, and Stuart-Hobson Middle School. Capitol Hill Spring League games take place at Brentwood Hamilton Park (1300 6th Street NE). Skills clinic blocks also use those venues plus Sherwood Recreation Center on 10th Street NE. Challenge Level practices meet at Brentwood Hamilton Park, with MCL fixtures around Capitol Hill and Alexandria.
Tryouts, registration, and sample fees
New travel players pay a $25 tryout fee; families create a PlayMetrics account through the club’s signup link, and staff follow up by email with tryout dates, times, and field assignments (specific tryout windows are set each cycle—ask if you need the current calendar). After tryouts, families receive acceptance or denial by email and have 48 hours to accept or decline an offer. Sick-day or missed-tryout makeup evaluations can be arranged through the travel administrator.
Add-on program fees include $215 for an eight-session weekly skills block or $30 for a single drop-in session, $215 for an eight-session goalkeeping block or $30 for one day for non-travel participants (goalkeeping school is free for enrolled academy travel players), and $450 for Challenge Level covering eight Friday practices plus MCL game days. Capitol Hill Spring League registration has recently shown a late individual rate of $290 per spot and $418 for a spot bundled with one weekday skills session—confirm current early-bird or team pricing when you register. Academy travel members receive benefits such as half-price skills clinics, complimentary goalkeeping school, and ten percent off many other DC Way programs when arranged through the club office.
How to reach the club
General questions go to contact@dcwayacademy.org or (571) 490-1275. Tryouts, travel rostering, and program discount codes are handled by Amalia Proper, travel administrator, at amalia@dcwayacademy.org. Capitol Hill League team entries and some league questions route to Coach Denis at denis@dcwayacademy.org. Weekly skills and goalkeeping questions for Coach Marco can go to marco@dcway.com or (443) 336-4667.
Explore more teams
Compare DC Way Academy with other youth soccer options in your area before making a decision. These directory links make it easier to review local clubs, broader District of Columbia programs, and nearby team options in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the club train and play?Travel training regularly uses turf complexes such as the Fields at RFK Campus, Gallaudet University, Eliot-Hine Middle School, and Stuart-Hobson Middle School. Capitol Hill Spring League games are at Brentwood Hamilton Park (1300 6th Street NE). Skills clinics rotate among RFK, Gallaudet, Brentwood, and Sherwood Recreation Center. Challenge Level trains at Brentwood Hamilton Park and plays Metro Community League games around Capitol Hill and Alexandria.
How do travel tryouts and registration work?Families register through PlayMetrics using the club’s signup link. New players pay a $25 tryout fee, then receive email with the exact tryout schedule and location for that cycle. Coaches run drills, small-sided games, and scrimmages, and every player gets individual feedback. After tryouts, offers arrive by email with a 48-hour response window. If a player is ill or misses a session, email amalia@dcwayacademy.org to arrange another evaluation.
What do tryouts and common add-on programs cost?Tryouts cost $25 for new players. Eight-session weekly skills clinics run $215 (or $30 for a single day). Eight-session goalkeeping blocks are $215 (or $30 for one day) for families not on a travel roster; goalkeeping school is free for enrolled academy travel players. Challenge Level is $450 for eight Friday practices plus league game days. Capitol Hill Spring League has recently listed a late individual rate of $290 and a $418 bundle that adds one weekday skills session—verify the current registration tier when you sign up.
What is the club’s mission and training style?The club aims to develop the whole player—technical, tactical, mental, and social—through science-informed, game-based sessions that reward curiosity, courage, and resilience. Match video is captured with Veo cameras and reviewed with detailed reporting so training stays purposeful and personalized.
How can families contact DC Way Academy?Call (571) 490-1275 or email contact@dcwayacademy.org for general questions. Travel tryouts and rostering go to Amalia Proper at amalia@dcwayacademy.org. Capitol Hill League team registration questions can go to denis@dcwayacademy.org. Skills and goalkeeping questions for Coach Marco can go to marco@dcway.com or (443) 336-4667.
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