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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.

KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS

Q: Is KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS a good school?

KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS ranks 35 th of 68 District Of Columbia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 5-8

35^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 68 District Of Columbia Middle Schools

Better than 49% of District Of Columbia middle schools

Summary

KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS is a public charter middle school in the Benning Road area of Washington, DC, serving 422 students in grades 5–8 as part of the KIPP DC PCS network. In 2025-2026, KEY ranks 34th of 67 DC middle schools (49th percentile, 3 stars) — a solid mid-tier result that reflects a decline from its past as a top DC school, when it ranked in the top 10 in the mid-2010s and 14th as recently as 2018-2019. On 2025-2026 DC CAPE assessments, KEY posted 31.1% proficiency in English Language Arts and 20.8% in math, well above the KIPP DC PCS network averages (21.9% ELA, 15.2% math) but below DC state averages (39.6% ELA, 28.2% math).

KEY stands out within its own network: it beats nearby KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS by roughly 13 points in ELA and 11 points in math, despite serving similar communities. It also earns high marks for effectiveness with low-income students, ranking 13th of 51 (4 stars) for that subgroup in 2025-2026. Compared to neighbors, KEY clearly outperforms Kramer Middle School, Kelly Miller Middle School, and Sousa Middle School, which post math proficiency between 1.9% and 8.9%. KEY achieves these results with a higher student-teacher ratio (12.3) than most nearby schools and lower per-student spending ($26,329) than several peers — notably Monument Academy PCS, which spends more than three times as much per student yet reports only 4.6% ELA proficiency.

However, KEY has clear weaknesses. Science proficiency was just 2.15% in 2024-2025, far below the state average of 13.4%. Math scores also slip in upper grades: 5th grade math is 27.0% proficient, but 8th grade falls to 17.0%. The most urgent concern is special education: that subgroup ranked 16th of 18 (1 star) in 2024-2025, a steep fall from a 4-star ranking in 2018-2019. In ELA, the trend is more positive — 8th grade reading proficiency (40.2%) approaches the state average and beats Eliot-Hine Middle School's 8th grade ELA score. Stronger charters nearby, including DC Prep PCS - Benning Middle School, Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Middle, and Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle, outpace KEY in both subjects. Overall, KEY is a solid mid-tier choice that serves low-income students well, but families should weigh its math, science, and special education challenges carefully.

422

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$28,651

Per pupil spending ?

60.2%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

4801 Benning Road SE
Washington, DC 20019

(202) 582-5477

District: KIPP Dc Pcs

Racial breakdown:

African American:

93.8%

Hispanic:

5.5%

Pacific Islander:

0.7%

See top rated District Of Columbia middle schools

Compare KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 86th percentile in 2015 → 49th in 2026

Strengths

✓Among the top-ranked schools in KIPP Dc Pcs

Worth a look

!Test scores below the District Of Columbia average (26% vs 34% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 37 percentile points since 2015

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg19%

District Of Columbia avg34%

35^th of 68

District Of Columbia public middle schools ?

Bottom 49%▼ down 39 pts since 2016

From top 12% (2016) to bottom 49% (2026)

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

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 6Middle Schools in the KIPP Dc Pcs

33^rd of 46KIPP Dc Pcs 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	40.3	35 of 68	48.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	41.3	33 of 69	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.8	23 of 70	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.4	30 of 69	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	38.7	28 of 59	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	76.5	14 of 75	81.3%	★★★★☆
2018	78.5	12 of 72	83.3%	★★★★☆
2017	78.1	9 of 56	83.9%	★★★★☆
2016	78.7	6 of 48	87.5%	★★★★☆
2015	77.5	7 of 49	85.7%	★★★★☆
2014	88.0	6 of 57	89.5%	★★★★★
2012	92.5	6 of 57	89.5%	★★★★★
2011	93.3	5 of 57	91.2%	★★★★★
2010	92.8	5 of 56	91.1%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	54.5	22 of 62	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	48.4	32 of 68	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	82.6	7 of 55	87.3%	★★★★☆
2018	84.8	8 of 55	85.5%	★★★★☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	80.4	5 of 50	90.0%	★★★★★
2018	87.0	3 of 46	93.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	76.9	11 of 52	78.8%	★★★★☆
2018	83.1	10 of 53	81.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2026	63.4	14 of 52	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	48.3	30 of 64	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.8	9 of 49	81.6%	★★★★☆
2023	49.2	20 of 44	54.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	69.9	13 of 53	75.5%	★★★★☆
2018	65.8	12 of 49	75.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2025	17.0	16 of 18	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	55.7	10 of 32	68.8%	★★★★☆
2018	34.9	19 of 29	34.5%	★★☆☆☆

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)

At Risk (2019)90th percentile+9 vs school

Female (2019)79th percentile~ school

Male (2019)75th percentile-6 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)73rd percentile+25 vs school

African American (2026)65th percentile+16 vs school

Special Education (2025)11th percentile-41 vs school

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

English Language Arts31%-8 vs state

Mathematics21%-7 vs state

★

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Schools Near KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS

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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 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 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
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS	Public, Charter	5-8	4801 Benning Road SE	Washington	20019	District Of Columbia	KIPP Dc Pcs	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 582-5477	422	34	12.3	60.2%	0 (0.0%)	396 (93.8%)	23 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	40.3	35^th of 68 public middle schools	48.5%		41.3	33^rd of 69 public middle schools	52.2%	2		27.9	25.0	31.7	40.2	31.1		27.0	23.3	15.7	17.0	20.8	$28,651	$3,872	$24,779
Kelly Miller Middle School	Public	6-8	301 49th St. NE	Washington	20019	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 388-6870	315	29	10.8	76.8%	3 (1.0%)	280 (88.9%)	32 (10.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15	65^th of 68 public middle schools	4.4%		17.6	63^rd of 69 public middle schools	8.7%	2			13.5	18.2	24.7	18.8			3.7	4.7	2.5	3.7	$31,648	$2,612	$29,036
DC Prep PCS - Benning Middle School	Public, Charter	4-8	100 41st Street NE	Washington	20019	District Of Columbia	DC Prep PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 396-3780	318	31	10.2	61.6%	0 (0.0%)	293 (92.1%)	18 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.2%)	58.5	20^th of 68 public middle schools	70.6%		65.6	15^th of 69 public middle schools	78.3%	5	46.9	36.1	46.5	44.2	42.5	43.2			15.5	32.7		25.4	$27,098	$3,186	$23,913
KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS	Public, Charter	5-8	5300 Blaine Street NE	Washington	20019	District Of Columbia	KIPP Dc Pcs	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 398-6811	340	28	11.9	66.5%	3 (0.9%)	332 (97.6%)	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21.4	58^th of 68 public middle schools	14.7%		19.8	59^th of 69 public middle schools	14.5%	1			11.1	20.6	26.2	18.3		9.1	11.3	13.3	7.3	10.1	$29,407	$3,532	$25,876
Sousa Middle School	Public	6-8	3650 Ely Pl. SE	Washington	20019	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 729-3260	223	24	9.2	74.0%	1 (0.4%)	201 (90.1%)	18 (8.1%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	21.4	57^th of 68 public middle schools	16.2%		17.3	65^th of 69 public middle schools	5.8%	8			18.9	30.2	11.4	20.1			9.4	11.4	5.8	8.9	$36,485	$2,723	$33,762
Two Rivers PCS - Young Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	830 26th Street NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	Two Rivers PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 388-3177	224	26	8.6	49.6%	12 (5.4%)	179 (79.9%)	17 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.7%)	37.1	41^st of 68 public middle schools	39.7%		30.4	44^th of 69 public middle schools	36.2%	3			20.3	29.5	46.2	32.3			8.3	12.9	24.7	15.4	$27,748	$1,736	$26,013
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Middle	Public, Charter	4-8	725 19th Street NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	Friendship PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 572-1070	238	28	8.6	65.1%	0 (0.0%)	232 (97.5%)	4 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	64.6	16^th of 68 public middle schools	76.5%		63.4	18^th of 69 public middle schools	73.9%	2	26.1	31.3	54.0	36.4	54.4	40.3				38.2	15.3	25.4	$33,692	$2,746	$30,945
Eliot-Hine Middle School	Public	6-8	1830 Constitution Ave. NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 939-5380	432	33	13.0	43.8%	64 (14.8%)	321 (74.3%)	26 (6.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.2%)	51.7	24^th of 68 public middle schools	64.7%		57.5	23^rd of 69 public middle schools	66.7%	1			40.4	51.6	32.4	41.8			23.9	23.7	14.1	20.8	$26,059	$2,509	$23,550
Monument Academy PCS	Public, Charter	5-8	500 19th Street NE	Washington	20002	District Of Columbia	Monument Academy PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 545-3180	131	18	7.2	80.9%	0 (0.0%)	126 (96.2%)	3 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.5%)								(n/a)						4.6							$101,648	$7,118	$94,530
Kramer Middle School	Public	6-8	1700 Q St. SE	Washington	20020	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 939-3150	213	25	8.5	87.8%	0 (0.0%)	198 (93.0%)	14 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	12.5	68^th of 68 public middle schools	0.0%		13.1	68^th of 69 public middle schools	1.4%				17.4	14.0	13.9	15.0			3.9	2.0		1.9	$39,129	$2,670	$36,459

Frequently Asked Questions about KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS

Is KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS a good school?

KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS ranks 35^th of 68 District Of Columbia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS?

Students at KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS are 94% African American, 5% Hispanic.

How many students attend KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS?

In the 2024-25 school year, 422 students attended KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS.

What district is KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS in?

KIPP Dc Pcs

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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.