District Of Columbia is the #51 largest school system in the United States, serving 93,597 students across the 245 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 100 private schools, serving 19,172 students). 83% of all K-12 students in District Of Columbia attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in District Of Columbia is 22%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 31%.
The top-ranked public schools in District Of Columbia are Janney Elementary School, Key Elementary School, and Lafayette Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 86%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 11:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in District Of Columbia (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Janney Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 81% (Top 1%)
Reading: 86% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
4130 Albemarle St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0110
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0110
Rank: #22.
Key Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
5001 Dana Pl. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 729-3280
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 729-3280
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
5701 Broad Branch Rd. Nw
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 282-0116
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 282-0116
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-89% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
1730 R St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7200
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7200
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
School Without Walls High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2130 G St. Nw
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Stoddert Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
4001 Calvert St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 671-6030
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 671-6030
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hearst Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
3950 37th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0106
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0106
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Mann Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (Top 5%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
4430 Newark St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0126
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0126
Rank: #99.
Brent Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 65-69% (Top 10%)
Grades: PK-5
301 North Carolina Ave. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3363
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3363
Rank: #1010.
Basis Dc Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 63% (Top 10%)
Reading: 74% (Top 5%)
Grades: 5-12
410 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Overview
This State (DC)
US
# Schools
245 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
93,597 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
8,610 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (DC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
41%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
47%
Showing 2012–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
43%
Graduation Rate
76.5%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
49%
50%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Showing 2006–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
170 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,406 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
17,650 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
58,187 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
62%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
12,694 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
14%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
59 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,348 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (DC)
Statewide Total Revenue
$3,357 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$3,360 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$35,867
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$35,900
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best District Of Columbia Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular cities: Washington (245 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in District Of Columbia?
The top-ranked public schools in District Of Columbia include Janney Elementary School, Key Elementary School, and Lafayette Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in District Of Columbia?
245 public schools are located in District Of Columbia.
What percentage of students in District Of Columbia go to public school?
83% of all K-12 students in District Of Columbia attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in District Of Columbia?
Minority enrollment in District Of Columbia is 86%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in District Of Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in District Of Columbia include: Hardy Middle School vs. Deal Middle School, Deal Middle School vs. Hardy Middle School, Kingsman Academy Pcs vs. Anacostia High School
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