District of Columbia Public Schools


Summary:

The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system comprises 117 schools, including 81 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, 20 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. These schools serve students across the nation's capital, providing a diverse range of educational opportunities.

Several schools stand out in the DCPS system, demonstrating exceptional academic performance. School Without Walls High School is ranked 1st out of 34 high schools in DC and has a 5-star rating, with 92.3% proficiency in English Language Arts and 75.3% in Mathematics. Janney Elementary School is ranked 1st out of 126 elementary schools and has a 5-star rating, with 81% proficiency in English Language Arts and 83% in Mathematics. Deal Middle School is ranked 1st out of 70 middle schools and has a 5-star rating, with exceptional test scores of 81.4% proficiency in English Language Arts and 71% in Mathematics.

While the data reveals significant performance gaps between the highest-performing and lowest-performing schools, it also highlights the importance of factors beyond just funding, such as school culture, leadership, and teaching quality. The District of Columbia Public Schools system faces challenges in supporting high-need schools, but the success of schools like School Without Walls High School, Janney Elementary, and Deal Middle School demonstrates that exceptional performance is possible with the right strategies and resources in place.

District Detail

 1200 First St NE
Washington, DC 20002

 (202) 727-7377

SchoolDigger Rank:
23rd of 46 District Of Columbia districts

See the 2025 District Of Columbia District rankings!
Grades served: PK, KG-12
Students: 51,635

Primary Schools: 79
Middle Schools: 14
High Schools: 20
Alternative Schools: 2
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Districts nearby

See the top DC District Of Columbia districts

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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