District Of Columbia is the #51 largest school system in the United States, serving 93,597 students across the 244 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 104 private schools, serving 19,401 students). 82% 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)
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
244 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
93,597 Students
49,339,277 Students
# Teachers
8,610 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (DC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
34%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
11%
43%
Graduation Rate
76%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
49%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
7%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.71
# American Indian Students
170 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,406 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
1%
6%
# Hispanic Students
17,650 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
19%
30%
# Black Students
58,187 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
62%
15%
# White Students
12,694 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
14%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
59 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
3,348 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (DC)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$2,882 MM
Spending (24-25)
$2,873 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$30,796
Spending / Student (24-25)
$30,691
Best District Of Columbia Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular cities: Washington (244 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?
244 public schools are located in District Of Columbia.
What percentage of students in District Of Columbia go to public school?
82% 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, Benjamin Banneker High School vs. School Without Walls High School, School Without Walls High School vs. Benjamin Banneker High School
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