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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Washington Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 244 public schools serving 93,597 students in Washington, DC (there are 104 private schools, serving 19,401 private students). 81% of all K-12 students in Washington, DC are educated in public schools (compared to the DC state average of 82%).
The top-ranked public schools in Washington, DC 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 score ranking.
Washington, DC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the District Of Columbia public school average of 22%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 31% statewide average). Schools in Washington have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of District Of Columbia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public school average of 86% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Washington, DC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Janney Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4130 Albemarle St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0110
Gr: PK-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Key Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5001 Dana Pl. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 729-3280
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5701 Broad Branch Rd. Nw
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 282-0116
Gr: PK-5 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1730 R St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
School Without Walls High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 94%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2130 G St. Nw
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 645-9690
Gr: 9-12 | 606 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3 - 63. - 6.
Stoddert Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4001 Calvert St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 671-6030
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Hearst Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3950 37th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0106
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Mann Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4430 Newark St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0126
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #99.
Brent Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 North Carolina Ave. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
Basis Dc Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
410 8th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 804-6390
Gr: 5-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1111.
Deal Middle School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3815 Fort Dr. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 939-2010
Gr: 6-8 | 1,462 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Maury Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1250 Constitution Ave. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 698-3838
Gr: PK-5 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #12 - 1312. - 13.
Murch Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4810 36th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0130
Gr: PK-5 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1414.
Eaton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3301 Lowell St Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0103
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1515.
Hyde-addison Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3219 O St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 282-0170
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1616.
Shepherd Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7800 14th St Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 576-6140
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Benjamin Banneker High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1600 9th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 671-6320
Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #17 - 1817. - 18.
Hardy Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1819 35th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 729-4350
Gr: 6-8 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1919.
Oyster-adams Bilingual School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2801 Calvert St. Nw And 2501 1
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 671-6130
Gr: PK-8 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #2020.
Ludlow-taylor Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
659 G St. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 698-3244
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #2121.
Washington Yu Ying Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
220 Taylor Street Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 635-1950
Gr: PK-5 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2222.
School-within-school At Goding
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
920 F St. Nw
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-7377
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2323.
Washington Latin Pcs - Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5200 2nd Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 223-1111
Gr: 5-8 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #2424.
Inspired Teaching Demonstration Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
200 Douglas Street Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 248-6825
Gr: PK-8 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2525.
Dc Bilingual Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
33 Riggs Road Ne
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 750-6674
Gr: PK-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2626.
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5000 14th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-6200
Gr: PK-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2727.
Payne Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1445 C St. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3262
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2828.
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Pcs - Brookland
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3700 Oakview Terrace Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 265-7237
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2929.
Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5200 2nd Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 223-1111
Gr: 9-12 | 357 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #3030.
Burroughs Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1820 Monroe St. Ne
Washington, DC 20018
(202) 576-6150
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #3131.
Bancroft Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1755 Newton St. Nw
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 673-7280
Gr: PK-5 | 821 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #3232.
Lee Montessori Pcs - Brookland
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3025 4th Street Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 779-9740
Gr: PK-6 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #3333.
Watkins Es (Capitol Hill Cluster)
(Math: 42% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
420 12th St. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3355
Gr: 1-5 | 415 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3434.
District Of Columbia International School
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Main Drive Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 808-9033
Gr: 6-12 | 1,654 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3535.
Garrison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1200 S St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7263
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Show 100 more public schools in Washington, DC (out of 244 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Washington, DC?
The top-ranked public schools in Washington, DC include Janney Elementary School, Key Elementary School and Lafayette Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Washington?
244 public schools are located in Washington.
What percentage of students in Washington go to public school?
81% of all K-12 students in Washington are educated in public schools (compared to the DC state average of 82%).
What is the racial composition of students in Washington?
Washington public schools minority enrollment is 86% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public schools average of 86% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Washington are often viewed compared to one another?

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