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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.

Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)

Q: Is Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) a good school?

Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) ranks 36 th of 124 District Of Columbia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

36^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 124 District Of Columbia Elementary Schools

Better than 71% of District Of Columbia elementary schools

Summary

Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) is a public elementary school in Washington, DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood serving 415 students in grades 1–5. It is part of the District of Columbia Public Schools system and is paired with Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster), which serves PK–K as part of the same cluster, so Watkins receives students beginning in 1st grade. The school has a long-running record as a solid 4-star school. In 2025-2026, it ranked 36th out of 124 DC elementary schools (71st percentile), a slight but steady decline from recent years when it ranked 33rd (2024-2025) and 30th (2023-2024).

On the 2025-2026 DC CAPE assessments, Watkins outperformed both the district and state averages. In English Language Arts, 46.9% of students were proficient, compared to 44.1% for DCPS and 39.6% statewide. In math, 41.7% were proficient versus 33.3% for DCPS and 28.2% statewide. Yet within its immediate Capitol Hill neighborhood, Watkins sits in the middle tier. Nearby Maury Elementary School ranks in the 96th percentile, Brent Elementary School in the 86th, and Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School in the 85th — all with substantially higher proficiency rates. Watkins' math scores also trail Payne Elementary School and Shirley Chisholm Elementary School, which post similar ELA results but outperform Watkins in math.

The most pressing concern is 5th grade math, where just 26.0% of Watkins students were proficient, well below the DCPS average of 34.6% and a sharp fall from Watkins' 3rd and 4th grade math scores (47.9% and 50.5%). On a brighter note, ELA proficiency jumped from 37.3% to 46.9% in a single year, and the school serves African American and low-income students especially well compared to statewide peer groups. Watkins spends about $22,162 per student — less than several nearby schools — and has a student-teacher ratio of 13.8, suggesting relatively efficient operation, though families may find higher test scores at a few neighboring schools within a mile.

415

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,287

Per pupil spending ?

26.5%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

420 12th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003

(202) 698-3355

District: District of Columbia Public Schools

Students who attend Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) usually attend:

Middle:	Stuart-Hobson Middle School (Capitol Hill Cluster)
High:	Eastern High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

65.8%

White:

22.7%

Hispanic:

5.3%

See top rated District Of Columbia elementary schools

Compare Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 78th percentile in 2015 → 71st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the District Of Columbia average (44% vs 34% meeting standards)

✓Above the District Of Columbia median (71st percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2015

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg39%

District Of Columbia avg34%

36^th of 124

District Of Columbia public elementary schools ?

Top 29%▬ steady since 2016

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

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

27^th 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	64.2	36 of 124	71.0%	★★★★☆
2025	61.2	33 of 128	74.2%	★★★★☆
2024	65.2	30 of 126	76.2%	★★★★☆
2023	68.4	29 of 128	77.3%	★★★★☆
2022	63.2	24 of 97	75.3%	★★★★☆
2019	70.7	25 of 122	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	78.5	23 of 120	80.8%	★★★★☆
2017	74.0	24 of 108	77.8%	★★★★☆
2016	60.9	29 of 99	70.7%	★★★★☆
2015	68.1	21 of 97	78.4%	★★★★☆
2014	70.1	31 of 109	71.6%	★★★★☆
2012	79.5	22 of 112	80.4%	★★★★☆
2011	83.8	20 of 111	82.0%	★★★★☆
2010	80.7	24 of 111	78.4%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	62.3	30 of 96	68.8%	★★★★☆
2025	52.6	42 of 108	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	39.6	37 of 63	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.9	23 of 60	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	51.8	15 of 35	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.7	32 of 106	69.8%	★★★★☆
2018	67.2	28 of 100	72.0%	★★★★☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	65.7	22 of 91	75.8%	★★★★☆
2018	45.8	42 of 90	53.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	70.2	26 of 117	77.8%	★★★★☆
2018	80.3	22 of 110	80.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	54.4	27 of 80	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.2	37 of 92	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.9	27 of 55	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	42.6	30 of 53	43.4%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	68.8	27 of 113	76.1%	★★★★☆
2018	73.3	25 of 113	77.9%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	42.6	20 of 45	55.6%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	58.2	12 of 25	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.1	11 of 23	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.4	16 of 26	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.3	10 of 25	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.0	16 of 21	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	59.3	11 of 19	42.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Female (2019)78th percentile~ school

Male (2019)76th percentile-3 vs school

At Risk (2019)76th percentile-4 vs school

African American (2026)69th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile-5 vs school

Special Education (2019)56th percentile-24 vs school

White (2026)52nd percentile-19 vs school

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

English Language Arts47%+7 vs state

Mathematics42%+14 vs state

★

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Schools Near Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)

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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	Directly certified (2024-25)	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
Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)	Public	K-5	420 12th St. SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 698-3355	415	30	13.8	26.5%	94 (22.7%)	273 (65.8%)	22 (5.3%)	6 (1.4%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.9%)	64.2	36^th of 124 public elementary schools	71.0%		61.2	33^rd of 128 public elementary schools	74.2%	3	35.2	51.5	51.8				46.9	47.9	50.5	26.0				41.7	$22,287	$2,067	$20,220
Shirley Chisholm Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1001 G St. SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 939-4810	542	46	11.7	28.4%	122 (22.5%)	298 (55.0%)	86 (15.9%)	5 (0.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.4%)	71.5	26^th of 124 public elementary schools	79.0%		68.1	28^th of 128 public elementary schools	78.1%	2	49.1	54.6	43.4				49.0	56.4	52.7	35.9				48.5	$25,435	$2,422	$23,013
Payne Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1445 C St. SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 698-3262	398	33	12.0	32.7%	143 (35.9%)	205 (51.5%)	23 (5.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (6.0%)	70.5	27^th of 124 public elementary schools	78.2%		68.5	27^th of 128 public elementary schools	78.9%		54.2	42.5	42.8				46.7	65.9	42.5	42.8				50.7	$27,406	$2,380	$25,027
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary	Public, Charter	PK, KG-3	1345 Potomac Avenue SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	Friendship PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 547-5800	256	26	9.7	62.9%	1 (0.4%)	246 (96.1%)	9 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	29.6							37.1							$35,028	$2,492	$32,536
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1503 East Capitol Street SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	Center City PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 547-7556	257	25	10.2	75.5%	0 (0.0%)	231 (89.9%)	7 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (7.0%)	13.9	117^th of 124 public elementary schools	5.6%		22	101^st of 128 public elementary schools	21.1%	16	4.4	10.7		14.2	11.2		13.0	8.7	10.7	4.6	3.6	11.2	27.8	10.3	$29,008	$2,215	$26,793
Maury Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1250 Constitution Ave. NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 698-3838	559	38	14.7	12.3%	332 (59.4%)	113 (20.2%)	51 (9.1%)	18 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	44 (7.9%)	97.1	5^th of 124 public elementary schools	96.0%		92.3	15^th of 128 public elementary schools	88.3%	10	74.7	86.7	81.1				80.6	88.0	77.9	75.4				80.6	$21,634	$2,088	$19,546
Brent Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2501 11th St NW	Washington	20001	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 698-3363	421	33	12.9	7.6%	280 (66.5%)	48 (11.4%)	37 (8.8%)	15 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (9.5%)	86.7	17^th of 124 public elementary schools	86.3%		97.7	5^th of 128 public elementary schools	96.1%	12	60.3	74.4	47.4				63.2	82.5	67.4	52.6				72.8	$24,127	$2,111	$22,016
Van Ness Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1150 5th St SE	Washington	20003	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 727-4314	404	31	13.0	45.8%	71 (17.6%)	274 (67.8%)	21 (5.2%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (7.7%)	30	74^th of 124 public elementary schools	40.3%		34.1	75^th of 128 public elementary schools	41.4%	1		24.5	16.4				26.1	42.6	20.7	7.0				24.7	$24,504	$2,495	$22,009
Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)	Public	PK-K	425 C St. NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 698-3277	209	17	12.6	9.1%	125 (59.8%)	56 (26.8%)	13 (6.2%)	6 (2.9%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.8%)								(n/a)															$25,023	$2,098	$22,924
Miner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 15th St. NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 397-3960	433	39	11.2	67.9%	58 (13.4%)	345 (79.7%)	20 (4.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	10.6	123^rd of 124 public elementary schools	0.8%		12.9	126^th of 128 public elementary schools	1.6%	3		4.1	2.5				5.4		6.3	2.4				6.0	$33,217	$2,671	$30,547

Frequently Asked Questions about Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)

Is Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) a good school?

Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) ranks 36^th of 124 District Of Columbia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) attend?

Students who attend Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) usually go on to attend:

Middle : Stuart-Hobson Middle School (Capitol Hill Cluster)
High : Eastern High School

What is the racial makeup of Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)?

Students at Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) are 66% African American, 23% White, 5% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster)?

In the 2024-25 school year, 415 students attended Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster).

What district is Watkins Elementary School (Capitol Hill Cluster) in?

District of Columbia Public Schools

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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.