High Schools in Washington Latin PCS

Washington Latin PCS – Upper School is the only high school in the Washington Latin PCS district, serving 357 students in grades 9–12 in Washington, DC, with a strong academic reputation and a 5-star district rating. This well-resourced charter school stands out as one of the highest-performing high schools in the city, with a graduation rate of 94.2% compared to the state average of 78.7%, and per-student spending of $23,849 with an exceptional 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. The school has consistently ranked among the top 6 high schools in DC, currently holding a 4-star rating at #6 out of 36 schools, though it slipped slightly from its previous 5-star, #4 ranking as competition among DC high schools has intensified.

Academically, English Language Arts is the school’s clear strength: 80.8% of students are proficient in ELA, more than double the state average of 39.6%, and English II end-of-course proficiency reaches 84.8% versus a 38.0% state average. Science proficiency is also strikingly high at 48.3% compared to just 10.2% statewide, although this wide gap may partly reflect the exam’s difficulty. Mathematics is more mixed: overall math proficiency is 51.8%, well above the state’s 28.2%, but this hides a sharp divide between subjects. Algebra II proficiency is outstanding at 90.9%, while Geometry proficiency is only 14.1%—essentially identical to the state average of 14.2%, suggesting that Geometry is a particular challenge or that performance is cohort-dependent.

Encouragingly, all-grade math proficiency jumped from 38.2% to 51.8% in a single year, a 13.6-point gain that likely reflects targeted interventions or a stronger cohort, while ELA remained flat. Despite its slight drop in ranking, this school remains a top choice for parents seeking rigorous academics, small classes, and strong graduation outcomes. The main area to watch is Geometry and lower overall math proficiency, but the recent improvement in math is a positive sign, and the school’s exceptional ELA, science, and graduation results make it a standout in Washington, DC.