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Test scores delayed: 2025-2026 science scores will be released by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education in October, at which point rankings will be updated.

Lafayette Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

3^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 124 District Of Columbia Elementary Schools

Better than 98% of District Of Columbia elementary schools

Summary

Lafayette Elementary School is a pre-K–5 public school in Northwest Washington, DC, serving 923 students and consistently ranked among the top elementary schools in the District of Columbia. In 2025–2026, Lafayette ranked 3rd out of 124 DC elementary schools (98th percentile) and earned a 5-star SchoolDigger rating. Its consistency is remarkable: over the past decade, the school has never ranked lower than #4 in the district, and it was the #1 elementary school in DC in 2014–2015.

Academically, Lafayette's students achieve at levels roughly double the District of Columbia Public Schools average. In 2025–2026, English Language Arts proficiency reached 80.2%, compared to 44.1% for DCPS and 39.6% for the state. Math proficiency hit 85.4%, versus 33.3% for DCPS and 28.2% statewide. Among nearby schools, only Janney Elementary School scored higher (81.6% ELA, 87.4% math), while Lafayette outpaced Murch Elementary School, Hearst Elementary School, and Shepherd Elementary School. Math proficiency also grows stronger with each grade, rising from 81.1% in 3rd grade to 88.9% by 5th grade — nearly triple the state average. Science scores likewise far exceed district and state averages.

What makes Lafayette particularly notable is its efficiency. With 923 students, it is the largest school in its cluster, yet it spends the least per student ($21,010) and maintains the highest student–teacher ratio (14.6) among nearby schools. Higher-spending schools such as Brightwood Elementary School ($32,855 per student, 25.5% math proficiency) and Friendship PCS - Online Academy ($39,525 per student, 9.5% math proficiency) post far lower results. The achievement gap within just a two-mile radius is striking: Lafayette's math proficiency is more than triple that of Brightwood. For families considering neighborhood schools in DC, Lafayette stands out as a top-tier, resource-efficient choice year after year.

923

Students ?

14.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$21,306

Per pupil spending ?

3.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5701 Broad Branch Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20015

(202) 282-0116

District: District of Columbia Public Schools

Students who attend Lafayette Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Deal Middle School
High:	Jackson-Reed High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.4%

African American:

9.5%

Hispanic:

8.7%

See top rated District Of Columbia elementary schools

Compare Lafayette Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2015 → 98th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the District Of Columbia average (83% vs 34% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 2% of District Of Columbia elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in District of Columbia Public Schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school83%

District avg39%

District Of Columbia avg34%

3^rd of 124

District Of Columbia public elementary schools ?

Top 2%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of District Of Columbia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 74Elementary Schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools

19^th of 46District of Columbia Public Schools among District Of Columbia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	97.4	3 of 124	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	98.7	4 of 128	96.9%	★★★★★
2024	99.0	2 of 126	98.4%	★★★★★
2023	98.9	2 of 128	98.4%	★★★★★
2022	98.6	3 of 97	96.9%	★★★★★
2019	98.0	4 of 122	96.7%	★★★★★
2018	98.1	3 of 120	97.5%	★★★★★
2017	98.4	3 of 108	97.2%	★★★★★
2016	97.7	2 of 99	98.0%	★★★★★
2015	98.7	1 of 97	99.0%	★★★★★
2014	95.9	5 of 109	95.4%	★★★★★
2012	98.0	4 of 112	96.4%	★★★★★
2011	98.0	4 of 111	96.4%	★★★★★
2010	97.1	6 of 111	94.6%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2025	99.1	1 of 108	99.1%	★★★★★
2023	54.0	22 of 60	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	90.4	6 of 106	94.3%	★★★★★
2018	92.3	6 of 100	94.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	96.6	5 of 117	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	97.4	3 of 110	97.3%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2024	96.9	2 of 30	93.3%	★★★★★
2023	95.3	1 of 22	95.5%	★★★★★
2022	95.8	1 of 18	94.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	97.6	3 of 113	97.3%	★★★★★
2018	97.7	4 of 113	96.5%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2025	74.5	1 of 3	66.7%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2025	71.2	3 of 21	85.7%	★★★★★
2024	67.1	2 of 9	77.8%	★★★★☆
2023	67.1	2 of 8	75.0%	★★★★☆
2019	93.1	3 of 45	93.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	55.9	13 of 25	48.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	79.4	2 of 23	91.3%	★★★★★
2024	72.6	5 of 26	80.8%	★★★★☆
2023	81.4	2 of 25	92.0%	★★★★★
2022	81.7	2 of 18	88.9%	★★★★★
2019	65.9	5 of 21	76.2%	★★★★☆
2018	58.7	12 of 19	36.8%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2025)99th percentile~ school

Male (2019)97th percentile~ school

Female (2019)96th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2024)93rd percentile-5 vs school

Special Education (2025)86th percentile-11 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)67th percentile-30 vs school

White (2026)48th percentile-50 vs school

By subject vs District Of Columbia (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics85%+57 vs state

English Language Arts80%+41 vs state

★

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Schools Near Lafayette Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				DC CAPE English Language Arts (2026)							DC CAPE Mathematics (2026)							Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2016)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	DC CAPE English Language Arts 3rd Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts 4th Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts 5th Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts 6th Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts 7th Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts 8th Grade	DC CAPE English Language Arts All Grades	DC CAPE Mathematics 3rd Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics 4th Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics 5th Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics 6th Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics 7th Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics 8th Grade	DC CAPE Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lafayette Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5701 Broad Branch Rd. NW	Washington	20015	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 282-0116	923	63	14.6	3.7%	650 (70.4%)	88 (9.5%)	80 (8.7%)	29 (3.1%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	72 (7.8%)	97.4	3^rd of 124 public elementary schools	97.6%		98.7	4^th of 128 public elementary schools	96.9%	1	70.1	87.4	83.7				80.2	81.1	86.6	88.9				85.4	$21,306	$2,092	$19,214
Murch Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4810 36th St. NW	Washington	20008	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 282-0130	658	47	14.0	7.4%	357 (54.3%)	117 (17.8%)	80 (12.2%)	50 (7.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (7.6%)	94.9	9^th of 124 public elementary schools	92.7%		96.6	8^th of 128 public elementary schools	93.8%	1	66.3	74.5	82.5				74.5	71.6	77.7	78.3				75.9	$22,873	$2,110	$20,763
Janney Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4130 Albemarle St. NW	Washington	20016	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 282-0110	717	53	13.5	2.1%	475 (66.2%)	42 (5.9%)	66 (9.2%)	42 (5.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	86 (12.0%)	98	2^nd of 124 public elementary schools	98.4%		99	1^st of 128 public elementary schools	99.2%	1	69.9	91.9	87.0				81.6	89.6	89.5	82.1				87.4	$21,486	$2,071	$19,414
Hearst Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3950 37th St. NW	Washington	20008	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 282-0106	356	27	13.4	15.5%	188 (52.8%)	70 (19.7%)	42 (11.8%)	26 (7.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (8.1%)	95.7	7^th of 124 public elementary schools	94.4%		97	7^th of 128 public elementary schools	94.5%		61.2	85.8	81.7				74.1	74.6	81.0	83.6				79.1	$24,265	$2,066	$22,199
Friendship PCS - Online Academy	Public, Virtual, Charter	K-8	6200 Kansas Avenue NE	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Friendship PCS	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	Yes	(202) 729-8287	366	15	24.4	98.5%	6 (1.6%)	314 (85.8%)	26 (7.1%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (4.4%)	26.5	82^nd of 124 public elementary schools	33.9%		13.7	125^th of 128 public elementary schools	2.3%	43		14.3	10.0	41.2	36.6	45.0	27.6	3.5	3.0	2.8	25.0	10.3	12.5	9.5	$30,610	$1,704	$28,906
Brightwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 Nicholson St. NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 722-5670	646	71	9.0	100.0%	12 (1.9%)	185 (28.6%)	446 (69.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	31.5	73^rd of 124 public elementary schools	41.1%		24.1	97^th of 128 public elementary schools	24.2%	24	18.1	22.6	21.1				20.8	35.9	24.7	15.3				25.5	$32,246	$2,458	$29,788
Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	5000 14th Street NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 726-6200	572	54	10.6	24.9%	243 (42.5%)	89 (15.6%)	164 (28.7%)	16 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (10.1%)	77.1	23^rd of 124 public elementary schools	81.5%		80.3	20^th of 128 public elementary schools	84.4%	3		63.0	58.8				53.8	49.3		47.1				45.6	$23,687	$820	$22,867
Center City PCS - Brightwood	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	6008 Georgia Avenue NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Center City PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 723-3322	269	29	9.4	74.6%	1 (0.4%)	157 (58.4%)	103 (38.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.6%)								(n/a)					82.6	55.6	43.0	53.9	45.9				33.4	38.0	$28,502	$2,177	$26,325
John Lewis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1335 Farragut St NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 576-6226	509	48	10.6	100.0%	136 (26.7%)	209 (41.1%)	130 (25.5%)	13 (2.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.7%)	66.2	34^th of 124 public elementary schools	72.6%		57.3	39^th of 128 public elementary schools	69.5%	5	50.0	47.5	33.3				44.8	60.3	49.2	31.7				49.1	$25,945	$2,688	$23,257
Shepherd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7800 14th St NW	Washington	20012	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 576-6140	394	30	13.1	27.9%	124 (31.5%)	177 (44.9%)	30 (7.6%)	8 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55 (14.0%)	93.7	12^th of 124 public elementary schools	90.3%		94.5	12^th of 128 public elementary schools	90.6%		74.5	75.0	68.3				72.3	74.5		70.0				66.1	$24,042	$2,077	$21,965

Frequently Asked Questions about Lafayette Elementary School

What district is Lafayette Elementary School in?

District of Columbia Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Lafayette Elementary School?

Students at Lafayette Elementary School are 70% White, 10% African American, 9% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Lafayette Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 923 students attended Lafayette Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Lafayette Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Lafayette Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Deal Middle School
High : Jackson-Reed High School

Is Lafayette Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Lafayette Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 3^rd of 124 District Of Columbia elementary schools.

Rate Lafayette Elementary School!

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Latest District Of Columbia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataSep 2, 2026

2025–26 DC CAPE test scoresAug 20, 2026

2024–25 DC Science test scoresDec 5, 2025

2024–25 graduation ratesDec 4, 2025

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.