DC Scholars PCS

DC Scholars PCS is the only school in this dataset, serving 478 students in grades PK through 8 from the East Capitol Street SE area of Washington, DC, and it operates as its own district, DC Scholars PCS, so district-level data exactly mirrors the school’s numbers. Although classified as an elementary school, it includes middle grades, and its performance tells a story of relative improvement in rankings but continued academic challenges.

For the 2025–2026 school year, DC Scholars PCS ranks 77th out of 124 DC schools (2 stars), improving from 83rd in 2024–2025 and 103rd in 2023–2024. However, its overall proficiency declined over that same period: ELA fell from 26% to 24.1% and math from 24.8% to 20.5%, both below state averages of 39.6% and 28.2%, respectively. Grade-level data reveals a clear pattern: older students perform closer to state expectations. Third-grade ELA is just 9.1% versus 31.1% statewide, while 8th-grade ELA reaches 34% versus 45.4%. In math, 6th-grade proficiency (23.9%) narrowly trails the state (27.7%), but 4th-grade math lags by 26.2 percentage points. This suggests early elementary literacy and math are the most pressing concerns.

DC Scholars PCS spends approximately $26,085 per student and maintains a 13.6 student-teacher ratio, yet outcomes remain below state averages, raising questions about how resources translate into achievement. Science is a major concern: only 6.7% of 5th graders were proficient in 2024–2025, compared with 20.4% statewide. The improved rank may reflect broader DC-wide changes rather than stronger student performance, given the proficiency declines. Missing data—like free/reduced lunch rates and several grade-level scores—limits a full evaluation, but parents should know that this school shows relative strength in middle grades, especially 8th-grade ELA and 6th-grade math, while early elementary and science require significant support.