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Schools in Washington · District of Columbia Public Schools

Washington’s public schools outscore 76% of District of Columbia districts

In Washington, 35% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the District of Columbia average (31%). The grade covers the public school district serving Washington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within District of Columbia, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From District of Columbia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
35%
▲ 4 pts vs DC 31%
2021–22
Math proficiency
22%
▲ 3 pts vs DC 19%
2021–22
Graduate on time
76%
▼ 0 pts vs DC 76%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$31.5K
▼ 5% vs DC $33.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
10.9
DC 10.9
Schools in town
291
50,525 students on the public path
In brief

Washington’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 35% and math 22% in spring 2022, against 31% and 19% statewide; 76% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 76%. Test scores ↓

Charters enroll a large share of students

Charter schools located in Washington enroll 41,467 students, against the district’s 52,030. Each is graded on its own results; none is part of the district grade. Every school ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $31,529 per student, against $33,023 across District of Columbia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

78 elementary schools, then 24 middle and 18 high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Washington’s grade

A− Test scoresC Graduation

A−: better than 76% of District of Columbia school districts, last of 1 District of Columbia towns. Test scores are above the District of Columbia average; graduation is below it.

District of Columbia school districts we grade (58)Better than 76%
Lower resultsHigher results
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 23,939 test results and a graduating class of 3,129 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 93% of Washington’s students in the tested grades sat them (23,565 in math, 24,313 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Washington, with each school’s own grade.

78 schools teach K in Washington’s district. Which one depends on your address.
Lafayette ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
923 students15:1Rate it →
Bancroft ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
821 students13:1Rate it →
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
791 students13:1Rate it →
Janney ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
717 students14:1Rate it →
Murch ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
658 students14:1Rate it →
Brightwood ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
646 students9:1Rate it →
John Francis Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
583 students10:1Rate it →
Barnard ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
573 students10:1Rate it →
Maury ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
559 students15:1Rate it →
Shirley Chisholm ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
542 students12:1Rate it →
Powell ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
514 students10:1Rate it →
John Lewis ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
509 students11:1Rate it →
Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan
Elementary · Grades PK–8
503 students14:1Rate it →
Ludlow-Taylor ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
489 students14:1Rate it →
Takoma ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
483 students10:1Rate it →
J.O. Wilson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
477 students11:1Rate it →
Marie Reed ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
461 students10:1Rate it →
Turner ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
461 students12:1Rate it →
Browne Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
457 students9:1Rate it →
Leckie Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
453 students12:1Rate it →
Whittier ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
450 students10:1Rate it →
Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View
Elementary · Grades PK–5
448 students10:1Rate it →
Raymond ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
439 students10:1Rate it →
Eaton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
436 students13:1Rate it →
Miner ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
433 students11:1Rate it →
Stoddert ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
425 students12:1Rate it →
Brent ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
421 students13:1Rate it →
Lawrence E. Boone ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
416 students11:1Rate it →
Tubman ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
415 students6:1Rate it →
Beers ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
412 students11:1Rate it →
H.D. Cooke ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
406 students9:1Rate it →
Van Ness ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
404 students13:1Rate it →
Hyde-Addison ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
400 students12:1Rate it →
Dorothy I. Height ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
400 students9:1Rate it →
Payne ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
398 students12:1Rate it →
Mann ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
397 students12:1Rate it →
Garrison ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
395 students10:1Rate it →
Shepherd ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
394 students13:1Rate it →
Seaton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
390 students9:1Rate it →
Wheatley Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
390 students9:1Rate it →
Langdon ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
377 students10:1Rate it →
Amidon-Bowen ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
374 students10:1Rate it →
Truesdell ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
370 students9:1Rate it →
Excel Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
363 students10:1Rate it →
Hearst ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
356 students13:1Rate it →
Langley ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
348 students11:1Rate it →
Key ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
337 students13:1Rate it →
Burroughs ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
331 students11:1Rate it →
Kimball ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
330 students10:1Rate it →
School-Within-School at Goding
Elementary · Grades PK–5
325 students11:1Rate it →
Houston ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
314 students10:1Rate it →
Randle Highlands ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
301 students10:1Rate it →
Cleveland ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
301 students9:1Rate it →
Noyes ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
293 students10:1Rate it →
Walker-Jones Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
292 students8:1Rate it →
Stanton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
288 students10:1Rate it →
Nalle ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
287 students9:1Rate it →
LaSalle-Backus ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
279 students8:1Rate it →
Hendley ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
276 students10:1Rate it →
Thomson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
259 students8:1Rate it →
Garfield ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
252 students10:1Rate it →
C.W. Harris ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
251 students9:1Rate it →
Smothers ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
250 students9:1Rate it →
Ketcham ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
244 students9:1Rate it →
Patterson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
238 students8:1Rate it →
Savoy ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
233 students10:1Rate it →
Plummer ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
233 students8:1Rate it →
Burrville ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
232 students12:1Rate it →
Simon ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
231 students9:1Rate it →
Thomas ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
228 students8:1Rate it →
Drew ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
223 students9:1Rate it →
Bunker Hill ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
219 students10:1Rate it →
Moten ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
216 students8:1Rate it →
Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster)
Elementary · Grades PK–K
209 students13:1Rate it →
King ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
193 students8:1Rate it →
Ross ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
171 students9:1Rate it →
Malcolm X ES at Green
Elementary · Grades PK–5
170 students7:1Rate it →
Lorraine H. Whitlock ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
162 students9:1Rate it →
The path, start to finish
PK–578 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
6–824 middle schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores
9–1218 high schoolsDepends on your addressNo scores

Washington’s public schools are run by District of Columbia Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

District of Columbia Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 117 schools · 52,030 students, up 4% since 2020–21 · 10.9 per teacher (DC 10.9)
$31,529DC $33,023 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading35%
State average 30.6% · 24313 students tested
Math22%
State average 19.3% · 23565 students tested

Washington vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the District of Columbia towns that share Washington’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
WashingtonA−District of Columbia

Alexandria, VA and Takoma Park, MD border Washington but are graded on their own state’s tests, so they’re left out.

Every school in Washington

292 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with District of Columbia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Washingtonby address
Lafayette ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
923 students15:1Rate it →
Bancroft ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
821 students13:1Rate it →
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
791 students13:1Rate it →
Janney ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
717 students14:1Rate it →
Murch ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
658 students14:1Rate it →
Brightwood ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
646 students9:1Rate it →
John Francis Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
583 students10:1Rate it →
Barnard ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
573 students10:1Rate it →
Maury ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
559 students15:1Rate it →
Shirley Chisholm ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
542 students12:1Rate it →
Powell ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
514 students10:1Rate it →
John Lewis ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
509 students11:1Rate it →
Capitol Hill Montessori School at Logan
Elementary · Grades PK–8
503 students14:1Rate it →
Ludlow-Taylor ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
489 students14:1Rate it →
Takoma ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
483 students10:1Rate it →
J.O. Wilson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
477 students11:1Rate it →
Marie Reed ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
461 students10:1Rate it →
Turner ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
461 students12:1Rate it →
Browne Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
457 students9:1Rate it →
Leckie Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
453 students12:1Rate it →
Whittier ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
450 students10:1Rate it →
Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View
Elementary · Grades PK–5
448 students10:1Rate it →
Raymond ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
439 students10:1Rate it →
Eaton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
436 students13:1Rate it →
Miner ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
433 students11:1Rate it →
Stoddert ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
425 students12:1Rate it →
Brent ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
421 students13:1Rate it →
Lawrence E. Boone ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
416 students11:1Rate it →
Tubman ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
415 students6:1Rate it →
Beers ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
412 students11:1Rate it →
H.D. Cooke ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
406 students9:1Rate it →
Van Ness ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
404 students13:1Rate it →
Hyde-Addison ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
400 students12:1Rate it →
Dorothy I. Height ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
400 students9:1Rate it →
Payne ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
398 students12:1Rate it →
Mann ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
397 students12:1Rate it →
Garrison ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
395 students10:1Rate it →
Shepherd ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
394 students13:1Rate it →
Seaton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
390 students9:1Rate it →
Wheatley Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
390 students9:1Rate it →
Langdon ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
377 students10:1Rate it →
Amidon-Bowen ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
374 students10:1Rate it →
Truesdell ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
370 students9:1Rate it →
Excel Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
363 students10:1Rate it →
Hearst ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
356 students13:1Rate it →
Langley ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
348 students11:1Rate it →
Key ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
337 students13:1Rate it →
Burroughs ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
331 students11:1Rate it →
Kimball ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
330 students10:1Rate it →
School-Within-School at Goding
Elementary · Grades PK–5
325 students11:1Rate it →
Houston ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
314 students10:1Rate it →
Randle Highlands ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
301 students10:1Rate it →
Cleveland ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
301 students9:1Rate it →
Noyes ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
293 students10:1Rate it →
Walker-Jones Education Campus
Elementary · Grades PK–8
292 students8:1Rate it →
Stanton ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
288 students10:1Rate it →
Nalle ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
287 students9:1Rate it →
LaSalle-Backus ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
279 students8:1Rate it →
Hendley ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
276 students10:1Rate it →
Thomson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
259 students8:1Rate it →
Garfield ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
252 students10:1Rate it →
C.W. Harris ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
251 students9:1Rate it →
Smothers ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
250 students9:1Rate it →
Ketcham ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
244 students9:1Rate it →
Patterson ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
238 students8:1Rate it →
Savoy ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
233 students10:1Rate it →
Plummer ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
233 students8:1Rate it →
Burrville ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
232 students12:1Rate it →
Simon ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
231 students9:1Rate it →
Thomas ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
228 students8:1Rate it →
Drew ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
223 students9:1Rate it →
Bunker Hill ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
219 students10:1Rate it →
Moten ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
216 students8:1Rate it →
Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster)
Elementary · Grades PK–K
209 students13:1Rate it →
King ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
193 students8:1Rate it →
Ross ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
171 students9:1Rate it →
Malcolm X ES at Green
Elementary · Grades PK–5
170 students7:1Rate it →
Lorraine H. Whitlock ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
162 students9:1Rate it →
Thaddeus Stevens Early Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
84 students6:1Rate it →
Military Road Early Learning Center
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
70 students6:1Rate it →
Watkins ES (Capitol Hill Cluster)
Elementary · Grades 1–5
415 students14:1Rate it →
Columbia Heights Education Campus
High · Grades 6–12
1,563 students10:1Rate it →
Deal MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
1,462 students14:1Rate it →
Cardozo Education Campus
High · Grades 6–12
710 students9:1Rate it →
Hardy MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
631 students13:1Rate it →
Ida B. Wells MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
521 students10:1Rate it →
MacFarland MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
486 students9:1Rate it →
Stuart-Hobson MS (Capitol Hill Cluster)
Middle · Grades 6–8
460 students14:1Rate it →
Eliot-Hine MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
432 students13:1Rate it →
Jefferson MS Academy
Middle · Grades 6–8
409 students12:1Rate it →
Brookland MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
381 students11:1Rate it →
Hart MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
374 students10:1Rate it →
Kelly Miller MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
315 students11:1Rate it →
Johnson MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
307 students12:1Rate it →
McKinley MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
286 students12:1Rate it →
Sousa MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
223 students9:1Rate it →
Kramer MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
213 students9:1Rate it →
Jackson-Reed HS
High · Grades 9–12
1,855 students14:1Rate it →
Coolidge HS
High · Grades 9–12
1,029 students13:1Rate it →
Roosevelt HS
High · Grades 9–12
943 students12:1Rate it →
Eastern HS
High · Grades 9–12
909 students11:1Rate it →
Dunbar HS
High · Grades 9–12
892 students10:1Rate it →
McKinley Technology HS
High · Grades 9–12
723 students14:1Rate it →
Benjamin Banneker HS
High · Grades 9–12
703 students16:1Rate it →
School Without Walls HS
High · Grades 9–12
606 students16:1Rate it →
Ballou HS
High · Grades 9–12
597 students10:1Rate it →
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
High · Grades 9–12
589 students28:1Rate it →
H.D. Woodson HS
High · Grades 9–12
579 students9:1Rate it →
MacArthur HS
Secondary · Grades 9–11
390 students11:1Rate it →
Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering HS
High · Grades 9–12
350 students11:1Rate it →
Bard HS Early College DC (Bard DC)
High · Grades 9–12
331 students10:1Rate it →
Anacostia HS
High · Grades 9–12
246 students8:1Rate it →
Ron Brown College Preparatory HS
High · Grades 9–12
196 students7:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Luke C. Moore HS
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
275 students12:1Rate it →
Ballou STAY HS
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
433 students14:1Rate it →
Garnet-Patterson STAY HS
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
672 students13:1Rate it →
River Terrace Education Campus
Grades 3–12
Special Education
125 students9:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
District of Columbia International School
High · Grades 6–12
Charter
1,654 students10:1Rate it →
Ingenuity Prep PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
797 students8:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
745 students11:1Rate it →
Washington Yu Ying PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
701 students10:1Rate it →
Basis DC PCS
High · Grades 5–12
Charter
692 students14:1Rate it →
KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
646 students10:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - College Preparatory PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
643 students12:1Rate it →
DC Bilingual PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
622 students8:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades K–4
Charter
614 students14:1Rate it →
Meridian PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
578 students9:1Rate it →
Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
572 students11:1Rate it →
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - J.F. Cook
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
563 students11:1Rate it →
Creative Minds International PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
530 students10:1Rate it →
Rocketship PCS - Legacy Prep
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
530 students17:1Rate it →
Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
522 students10:1Rate it →
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - Calle Ocho
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
504 students13:1Rate it →
DC Scholars PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
478 students14:1Rate it →
E.L. Haynes PCS - HS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
446 students9:1Rate it →
Goodwill Excel Center PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
440 students15:1Rate it →
Paul PCS - International HS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
439 students9:1Rate it →
Perry Street Preparatory PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
437 students10:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - AIM Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
435 students12:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Benning ES
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
430 students13:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
422 students12:1Rate it →
E.L. Haynes PCS - ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
409 students10:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Anacostia ES
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
409 students13:1Rate it →
Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place ES
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Charter
409 students13:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Heights Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades 1–4
Charter
408 students13:1Rate it →
Two Rivers PCS - Young ES
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
407 students11:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Edgewood ES
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
401 students11:1Rate it →
Cedar Tree Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–2
Charter
399 students16:1Rate it →
Two Rivers PCS - 4th Street
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
391 students11:1Rate it →
Washington Latin PCS - MS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
389 students15:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades 1–4
Charter
388 students14:1Rate it →
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Capitol Hill
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
387 students16:1Rate it →
Washington Leadership Academy PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
386 students8:1Rate it →
Washington Latin PCS - Anna Julia Cooper MS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
384 students13:1Rate it →
Breakthrough Montessori PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Charter
383 students17:1Rate it →
Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
373 students11:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Spring Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades 1–4
Charter
371 students13:1Rate it →
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy
High · Grades 6–12
Charter
367 students9:1Rate it →
Bridges PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
365 students9:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Southeast Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
357 students12:1Rate it →
Washington Latin PCS - Upper School
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
357 students8:1Rate it →
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - Brookland
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
354 students12:1Rate it →
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - East End
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
353 students13:1Rate it →
Idea PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
350 students10:1Rate it →
Capital City PCS - HS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
348 students8:1Rate it →
Kingsman Academy PCS
High · Grades 6–12
Charter
346 students20:1Rate it →
Rocketship PCS - Rise Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
346 students16:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Northeast Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
345 students13:1Rate it →
Capital City PCS - MS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
344 students9:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Lead Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades 1–4
Charter
343 students12:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - WILL Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
341 students12:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
340 students12:1Rate it →
E.L. Haynes PCS - MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
Charter
329 students9:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Honor Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
328 students12:1Rate it →
Paul PCS - MS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
328 students11:1Rate it →
Capital City PCS - Lower School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Charter
323 students12:1Rate it →
Rocketship PCS - Infinity Community Prep
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
321 students14:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Benning MS
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
318 students10:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Anacostia MS
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
315 students12:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Inspire Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades 1–4
Charter
314 students14:1Rate it →
Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PCS
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
311 students12:1Rate it →
Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
310 students7:1Rate it →
DC Prep PCS - Edgewood MS
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
308 students10:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Technology Preparatory HS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
307 students8:1Rate it →
Sela PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
302 students7:1Rate it →
Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media Arts
High · Grades 8–12
Charter
300 students12:1Rate it →
Lee Montessori PCS - Brookland
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Charter
298 students15:1Rate it →
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Johenning
Middle · Grades 6–8
Charter
297 students10:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Southeast Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
293 students12:1Rate it →
The Sojourner Truth School PCS
High · Grades 6–12
Charter
292 students9:1Rate it →
Learn DC PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Charter
290 students13:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
282 students11:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Discover Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Charter
282 students13:1Rate it →
Early Childhood Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
281 students17:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
271 students11:1Rate it →
Howard University MS of Mathematics and Science PCS
Middle · Grades 6–8
Charter
271 students8:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Brightwood
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
269 students9:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
257 students10:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
256 students10:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Petworth
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
255 students10:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Connect Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Charter
251 students14:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Congress Heights
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
251 students12:1Rate it →
St. Coletta Special Education PCS
Grades PK–12
CharterSpecial Education
250 students8:1Rate it →
Lee Montessori PCS - East End
Elementary · Grades PK–4
Charter
246 students15:1Rate it →
The Children's Guild DC PCS
Elementary · Grades K–8
Charter
246 students9:1Rate it →
The SEED PCS of Washington DC
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
245 students17:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Arts and Technology Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Charter
244 students13:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Armstrong Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
239 students10:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
238 students9:1Rate it →
Hope Community PCS - Tolson
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
232 students11:1Rate it →
Washington Global PCS
Middle · Grades 6–8
Charter
227 students12:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Charter
224 students13:1Rate it →
Two Rivers PCS - Young MS
Middle · Grades 6–8
Charter
224 students9:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Woodridge International Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
223 students9:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
221 students14:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Woodridge International Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
218 students11:1Rate it →
Maya Angelou PCS - HS
High · Grades 9–12
CharterAlternative Education
218 students10:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Charter
212 students12:1Rate it →
KIPP DC - Pride Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Charter
212 students13:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Trinidad
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
212 students10:1Rate it →
Center City PCS - Shaw
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Charter
202 students8:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Armstrong Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
199 students8:1Rate it →
Shining Stars Montessori Academy PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Charter
199 students10:1Rate it →
Global Citizens PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–2
Charter
198 students10:1Rate it →
Girls Global Academy PCS
High · Grades 9–12
Charter
183 students7:1Rate it →
Harmony DC PCS - School of Excellence
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
182 students9:1Rate it →
Friendship PCS - Ideal Middle
Middle · Grades 4–8
Charter
172 students12:1Rate it →
Monument Academy PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
131 students7:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Columbia Heights
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
119 students11:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Spring Valley
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
113 students13:1Rate it →
I Dream PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
99 students10:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Parklands at THEARC
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
98 students13:1Rate it →
Social Justice PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
97 students6:1Rate it →
Capital Village PCS
Middle · Grades 5–8
Charter
91 students11:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning PCS - Waterfront Station
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
90 students10:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Oklahoma Avenue
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
84 students7:1Rate it →
Roots PCS
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Charter
80 students11:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
61 students10:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Southwest
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
54 students8:1Rate it →
DC Wildflower PCS - The Riverseed School
Elementary · Grades PK–1
Charter
45 students15:1Rate it →
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Douglas Knoll
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
Charter
39 students8:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Washingtonrun by other districts or the state
Maya Angelou Academy at Youth Services Center
High · Grades 6–12
Alternative Education
85 students8:1Rate it →
DC Department of Corrections
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
45 students3:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Washingtonnot counted as local schools
Friendship PCS - Online Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8
CharterOnline
366 students24:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Johns College High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
1,794 students20:1Rate it →
Sidwell Friends School
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
1,149 students8:1Rate it →
Washington International School
Grades PK–12
Private · Nonsectarian
900 students8:1Rate it →
National Cathedral School
Grades 4–12
Private · Religious · All-girls
597 students8:1Rate it →
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic · All-girls
512 students11:1Rate it →
Blessed Sacrament School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
502 students12:1Rate it →
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
475 students8:1Rate it →
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Religious
467 students9:1Rate it →
Archbishop Carroll High School
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
384 students13:1Rate it →
Beauvoir the National Cathedral Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–3
Private · Religious
376 students18:1Rate it →
The Field School
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
351 students7:1Rate it →
Holy Trinity School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
330 students10:1Rate it →
Lowell School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
328 students5:1Rate it →
Edmund Burke School
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
315 students8:1Rate it →
River School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Special education
244 students10:1Rate it →
Capitol Hill Day School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Nonsectarian
238 students4:1Rate it →
St. Peter School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
230 students7:1Rate it →
St. Anselm's Abbey School
Grades 6–12
Private · Catholic · All-boys
224 students6:1Rate it →
Sheridan School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Nonsectarian
221 students7:1Rate it →
Sacred Heart School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
217 students14:1Rate it →
Our Lady of Victory School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
216 students14:1Rate it →
St. Anthony Catholic School
Elementary · Grades K–8
Private · Catholic
195 students6:1Rate it →
Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC, Inc.
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
178 students10:1Rate it →
St. Thomas More Catholic
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
163 students7:1Rate it →
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
154 students11:1Rate it →
Aidan Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Nonsectarian
153 students15:1Rate it →
St. Augustine Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
149 students10:1Rate it →
The School for Ethics and Global Leadership
High · Grades 11–12
Private · Nonsectarian
143 students5:1Rate it →
Annunciation Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
138 students7:1Rate it →
Washington Jesuit Academy
Elementary · Grades 4–8
Private · Catholic · All-boys
138 students8:1Rate it →
Washington School for Girls
Elementary · Grades 3–8
Private · Catholic · All-girls
105 students9:1Rate it →
Christian Family Montessori
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Religious
103 students19:1Rate it →
Model Secondary School for the Deaf
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Special education
101 students1:1Rate it →
San Miguel School
Elementary · Grades 6–8
Private · Catholic · All-boys
89 students8:1Rate it →
Templeton Academy
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
79 students9:1Rate it →
Franklin Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
76 students25:1Rate it →
Parkmont School
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
70 students6:1Rate it →
St. Jerome Institute
High · Grades 9–12
Private · Catholic
61 students9:1Rate it →
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
46 students19:1Rate it →
Montessori School of Chevy Chase
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
35 students12:1Rate it →
Broad Branch Children's House
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
34 students11:1Rate it →
Mysa School
Grades K–12
Private · Nonsectarian
30 students4:1Rate it →
The Monroe School Inc
Grades 6–12
Private · Special education
28 students5:1Rate it →
Fusion Academy WDC: Washington D.C.
Grades 6–12
Private · Nonsectarian
27 students2:1Rate it →
Kennedy Institute
High · Grades 10–11
Private · Special education
26 students5:1Rate it →
Muhammad University of Islam
Grades 1–12
Private · Religious
22 students5:1Rate it →
Georgetown Montessori School
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Private · Nonsectarian
18 students6:1Rate it →
Living Word Christian School
Grades 3–12
Private · Religious
17 students6:1Rate it →

2 duplicate private-school records merged.

Questions about Washington’s schools

Are Washington’s schools good?

By District of Columbia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Washington children attend outscore 76% of District of Columbia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Washington in?

District of Columbia Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 52,030 students in 117 schools (2024–25).

Where do Washington kids go to high school?

One of 18 high schools, depending on your address: Jackson-Reed HS, Columbia Heights Education Campus, Coolidge HS, Roosevelt HS, Eastern HS, Dunbar HS, McKinley Technology HS, Cardozo Education Campus, Benjamin Banneker HS, School Without Walls HS, Ballou HS, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, H.D. Woodson HS, MacArthur HS, Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering HS, Bard HS Early College DC (Bard DC), Anacostia HS and Ron Brown College Preparatory HS.

What is Washington’s graduation rate?

76% of the class of 2023 in District of Columbia Public Schools graduated in four years, against 76% across District of Columbia.

How much does Washington spend per student?

$31,529 in District of Columbia Public Schools (FY2024), against $33,023 across District of Columbia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Washington?

Yes: St. Johns College High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,794 students), Sidwell Friends School (religious, grades PK–12, 1,149 students), Washington International School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 900 students), National Cathedral School (religious · all-girls, grades 4–12, 597 students), Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (catholic · all-girls, grades 9–12, 512 students), Blessed Sacrament School (Catholic, grades K–8, 502 students), St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School (religious, grades PK–8, 475 students), Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's (religious, grades PK–8, 467 students), Archbishop Carroll High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 384 students), Beauvoir the National Cathedral Elementary School (religious, grades PK–3, 376 students), The Field School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 351 students), Holy Trinity School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 330 students), Lowell School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 328 students), Edmund Burke School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 315 students), River School (special education, grades PK–5, 244 students), Capitol Hill Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 238 students), St. Peter School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 230 students), St. Anselm's Abbey School (catholic · all-boys, grades 6–12, 224 students), Sheridan School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 221 students), Sacred Heart School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 217 students), Our Lady of Victory School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 216 students), St. Anthony Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 195 students), Cornerstone Schools of Washington, DC, Inc. (religious, grades K–12, 178 students), St. Thomas More Catholic (Catholic, grades PK–8, 163 students), St. Francis Xavier Catholic Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 154 students), Aidan Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 153 students), St. Augustine Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 149 students), The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (nonsectarian, grades 11–12, 143 students), Annunciation Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 138 students), Washington Jesuit Academy (catholic · all-boys, grades 4–8, 138 students), Washington School for Girls (catholic · all-girls, grades 3–8, 105 students), Christian Family Montessori (religious, grades PK–6, 103 students), Model Secondary School for the Deaf (special education, grades 9–12, 101 students), San Miguel School (catholic · all-boys, grades 6–8, 89 students), Templeton Academy (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 79 students), Franklin Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 76 students), Parkmont School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 70 students), St. Jerome Institute (Catholic, grades 9–12, 61 students), Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 46 students), Montessori School of Chevy Chase (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 35 students), Broad Branch Children's House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 34 students), Mysa School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 30 students), The Monroe School Inc (special education, grades 6–12, 28 students), Fusion Academy WDC: Washington D.C. (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 27 students), Kennedy Institute (special education, grades 10–11, 26 students), Muhammad University of Islam (religious, grades 1–12, 22 students), Georgetown Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 18 students) and Living Word Christian School (religious, grades 3–12, 17 students). Washington also has 124 charter schools, free and open by application.

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School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within District of Columbia. Stars are from neighbors.