District Of Columbia is the #51 largest school system in the United States, serving 92,621 students across the 245 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 108 private schools, serving 19,558 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 20%. 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 87%, with the majority being Black and the student:teacher ratio is 11:1.
Student by Ethnicity
(DC) School Average
Asian
2%
Hispanic
19%
Black
63%
White
13%
Two or more races
3%
Top Ranked Public Schools in District Of Columbia (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Janney Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (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: #33.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 76% (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: #44.
Stoddert Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 75-79% (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: #55.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 60-69% (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: #66.
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: #77.
School Without Walls High School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 55-59% (Top 10%)
Reading: 94% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2130 G St. Nw
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Rank: #88.
Basis Dc Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 64% (Top 5%)
Reading: 74% (Top 5%)
Grades: 5-12
410 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Rank: #99.
Brent Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 65-69% (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: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Benjamin Banneker High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 55% (Top 10%)
Reading: 91% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1600 9th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 671-6320
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 671-6320
Best District Of Columbia Public Schools by County (2025)
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 87%, 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, Benjamin Banneker High School vs. School Without Walls High School, School Without Walls High School vs. Benjamin Banneker High School
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