Best Schools in District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 303 public schools (40 high, 43 middle, 179 elementary) serving 107,027 students. On average they score 23% on state proficiency tests against a projected 27%, so schools in District of Columbia meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in District of Columbia
The top high schools in District of Columbia, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. School Without Walls Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 602 Students
2. Basis Dc Pcs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Basis Dc Pcs • Charter • Grades 5 - 12 • 663 Students
3. Benjamin Banneker Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 579 Students
4. Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Washington Latin Pcs • Charter • Grades 9 - 12 • 377 Students
5. Jackson-reed Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2153 Students
6. Mckinley Technology Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 696 Students
7. District Of Columbia International School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia International School • Charter • Grades 6 - 12 • 1590 Students
8. Duke Ellington School Of The Arts
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 564 Students
9. Bard Hs Early College Dc (bard Dc)
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 424 Students
10. Phelps Architecture Construction And Engineering Hs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 317 Students
Best Middle Schools in District of Columbia
The top middle schools in District of Columbia, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Deal Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1391 Students
2. Washington Latin Pcs - Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Washington Latin Pcs • Charter • Grades 5 - 8 • 383 Students
3. Washington Latin Pcs - Anna Julia Cooper Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Washington Latin Pcs • Charter • Grades 5 - 8 • 157 Students
4. Hardy Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 571 Students
5. Stuart-hobson Ms (capitol Hill Cluster)
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 464 Students
6. Friendship Pcs - Woodridge International Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Friendship Pcs • Charter • Grades 4 - 8 • 217 Students
7. The Sojourner Truth School Pcs
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
The Sojourner Truth School Pcs • Charter • Grades 6 - 12 • 212 Students
8. Dc Prep Pcs - Edgewood Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Dc Prep Pcs • Charter • Grades 4 - 8 • 318 Students
9. Eliot-hine Ms
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 313 Students
10. Friendship Pcs - Blow Pierce Middle
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Friendship Pcs • Charter • Grades 4 - 8 • 245 Students
Best Elementary Schools in District of Columbia
The top elementary schools in District of Columbia, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Ross Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 171 Students
2. Janney Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 688 Students
3. Stoddert Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 444 Students
4. Lafayette Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 892 Students
5. Brent Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 419 Students
6. Hearst Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 347 Students
7. Murch Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 651 Students
8. School-within-school At Goding
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 326 Students
9. Mann Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 390 Students
10. Key Es
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
District Of Columbia Public Schools • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 353 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in District of Columbia
State-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
District of Columbia has a total population of 689,545 with 24% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 93%, and 63% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in District of Columbia
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood District of Columbia.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
42.44 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
8.43 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
34.01 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in District of Columbia.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for District of Columbia.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit District of Columbia Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in District of Columbia
How many schools are in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has 303 public schools: 40 high schools, 43 middle schools and 179 elementary schools, serving 107,027 students in total.
How do schools in District of Columbia perform on state tests?
On average, 303 schools in District of Columbia score 23% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 27%, so on average schools in District of Columbia meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in District of Columbia?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near District of Columbia
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 36%
- Projected: 35%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 33%
- Projected: 37%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 47%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 72%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 43%
- Projected: 35%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 30%
- Projected: 34%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 56%
- Projected: 54%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 44%
- Projected: 43%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 58%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Every city and county in District of Columbia
School rankings for each place: 40 cities, towns and neighborhoods, and 0 counties.
Cities and towns
- Adams Morgan Washington
- Anacostia Washington
- Au Tenleytown Washington
- Barnaby Woods Washington
- Brentwood Washington
- Brightwood Washington
- Brookland Washington
- Capitol Hill Washington
- Catholic University Brookland Washington
- Chevy Chase Washington
- Cleveland Park Washington
- Columbia Heights Washington
- Congress Heights Washington
- Deanwood Washington
- District Of Columbia
- Downtown Washington
- Dupont Circle Washington
- Fairlawn Washington
- Foggy Bottom Washington
- Fort Totten Upper Northeast Washington
- Georgetown Washington
- Glover Park Washington
- Hill East Washington
- Ledroit Park Washington
- Lincoln Park Washington
- Logan Circle Washington
- Michigan Park Washington
- Mount Pleasant Washington
- Mt Vernon Square Washington
- Petworth Washington
- Shaw Washington
- South West Washington
- Stadium Armory Washington
- Stanton Park Washington
- Takoma Park Washington
- The Palisades Washington
- U Street Corridor Washington
- Washington (242)
- Woodley Park Washington
- Woodridge Washington
School district map of District of Columbia
Every public school district in District of Columbia with graded schools. Hover for the district and its school count; click to open its page.
shaded by the district's average SchoolGrade, F to A; grey = not yet graded. Boundaries from the NCES EDGE composite school district file. Districts without a page (fewer than three graded schools) are not linked.
Largest school districts in District of Columbia
The 10 districts with the most graded schools in District of Columbia. Each district page lists every one of its schools.
- District of Columbia Public Schools (116 schools)
- Kipp Dc Pcs (20 schools)
- Friendship PCS (15 schools)
- AppleTree Early Learning PCS (6 schools)
- Center City PCS (6 schools)
- DC Prep PCS (6 schools)
- Capital City PCS (3 schools)
- E.L. Haynes PCS (3 schools)
- Rocketship Education DC PCS (3 schools)
- Two Rivers PCS (3 schools)