Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

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.

Sela PCS

Q: Is Sela PCS a good school?

Sela PCS ranks 33 rd of 124 District Of Columbia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades PK, KG-5

33^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 124 District Of Columbia Elementary Schools

Better than 73% of District Of Columbia elementary schools

Summary

Sela PCS is a small public charter elementary school in Washington, DC's Ward 4, serving 302 students in grades PK through 5 with a consistent four-star rating and an upper-quartile ranking among DC elementary schools for nearly a decade. The school's reputation is anchored by an exceptional mathematics program that posted 55% proficiency in 2025-2026 — nearly double the DC state average of 28.2%. Local charters like DC Bilingual PCS (44.7%) and Breakthrough Montessori PCS (16.6%) trailed well behind, and only Whittier Elementary School, a District of Columbia Public Schools school, performed higher at 72.9%.

Sela's English Language Arts performance is solid (46.3% vs. the state's 39.6%), but reading scores show an unusual grade-level pattern. Third graders excelled at 63.3% proficiency, yet fourth grade proficiency fell to 23.8% — a 39.5-point drop that contrasts sharply with nearby schools like Whittier Elementary School and DC Bilingual PCS, where fourth grade reading improves. Fifth graders rebounded to 44.5%, suggesting the dip may be an isolated cohort issue rather than a systemic problem. Another defining feature is Sela's 7-to-1 student-teacher ratio, the lowest in the area and about half the ratio at Rocketship PCS - Infinity Community Prep (13.8) and Breakthrough Montessori PCS (16.6), enabling a highly personalized learning environment.

Sela also demonstrates strong cost-effectiveness. At roughly $28,298 per student, it spends far less than nearby schools with weaker results, including Rocketship PCS - Infinity Community Prep ($37,854), Bridges PCS ($34,782), and LaSalle-Backus Elementary School ($39,295), which trails Sela in both reading and math. The school has earned four stars every year since 2018-19 and has never fallen below the 68th percentile since 2017-18. It also posts strong outcomes for African American students, earning four-star ratings in recent years. For families, Sela PCS offers a small, well-run school with standout math instruction, an enviable student-teacher ratio, and just two areas worth investigating: the fourth-grade reading dip and modest science results.

302

Students ?

7.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$27,035

Per pupil spending ?

57.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6015 Chillum Place NE
Washington, DC 20011

(202) 670-7352

District: Sela PCS

Racial breakdown:

African American:

56.3%

White:

25.8%

Hispanic:

12.3%

See top rated District Of Columbia elementary schools

Compare Sela PCS to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 68th percentile in 2018 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the District Of Columbia average (51% vs 34% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2018

✓Above the District Of Columbia median (73rd percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school51%

District avg51%

District Of Columbia avg34%

33^rd of 124

District Of Columbia public elementary schools ?

Top 27%▲ up 5 pts since 2018

From top 32% (2018) to top 27% (2026)

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

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

10^th of 46Sela 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	67.1	33 of 124	73.4%	★★★★☆
2025	58.8	35 of 128	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	78.2	22 of 126	82.5%	★★★★☆
2023	62.1	33 of 128	74.2%	★★★★☆
2019	75.1	23 of 122	81.1%	★★★★☆
2018	60.3	38 of 120	68.3%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2025	62.3	27 of 108	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	11 of 60	81.7%	★★★★☆
2019	83.8	11 of 106	89.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	District Of Columbia percentile	Rating
2019	66.7	29 of 117	75.2%	★★★★☆

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)75th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2025)75th percentile~ school

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

Mathematics55%+27 vs state

English Language Arts46%+7 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Sela PCS

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, December 9, 2018

Sela is an amazing school with small c’asses And close attention to every child. A hidden gem. Close Quote

Schools Near Sela PCS

Load more schools when map is moved

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
Sela PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	6015 Chillum Place NE	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Sela PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 670-7352	302	43	7.0	57.5%	78 (25.8%)	170 (56.3%)	37 (12.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.6%)	67.1	33^rd of 124 public elementary schools	73.4%		58.8	35^th of 128 public elementary schools	72.7%	2	63.3	23.8	44.5				46.3	66.7						55.0	$27,035	$1,212	$25,823
Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary	Public, Charter	PK, KG-3	6130 North Capitol Street NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Friendship PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 518-3928	212	17	12.4		1 (0.5%)	196 (92.5%)	14 (6.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)								(n/a)	19.0							38.0							$36,223	$2,479	$33,744
Creative Minds International PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	3700 North Capitol Street NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Creative Minds International PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 588-0370	530	52	10.1	21.9%	77 (14.5%)	287 (54.2%)	137 (25.8%)	7 (1.3%)	7 (1.3%)	3 (0.6%)	12 (2.3%)	32.4	72^nd of 124 public elementary schools	41.9%		33.3	77^th of 128 public elementary schools	39.8%	5	36.6	34.8	14.7	25.7	34.2	38.3	31.2		15.6	6.1		15.0	12.1	16.2	$36,168	$1,786	$34,382
Capital City PCS - Lower School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-4	100 Peabody Street NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Capital City PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 808-9800	323	27	12.1	64.5%	18 (5.6%)	61 (18.9%)	232 (71.8%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.8%)	17	109^th of 124 public elementary schools	12.1%		19.3	108^th of 128 public elementary schools	15.6%	1	7.7	16.6					12.0	11.5	12.5					12.0	$36,666	$2,087	$34,578
LaSalle-Backus Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 Riggs Rd. NE	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 671-6340	279	35	7.9	100.0%	12 (4.3%)	142 (50.9%)	119 (42.7%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	48.7	52^nd of 124 public elementary schools	58.1%		44.2	49^th of 128 public elementary schools	61.7%	3		46.2	30.0				32.9	17.2	50.0	30.0				31.8	$39,027	$2,449	$36,578
Roots PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	15 Kennedy Street NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Roots PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 882-8073	80	8	10.6	87.7%	0 (0.0%)	80 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)	9.1						23.5							17.7	$31,494	$7,618	$23,876
DC Bilingual PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	33 Riggs Road NE	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	DC Bilingual PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 750-6674	622	78	7.9	0.0%	200 (32.2%)	122 (19.6%)	261 (42.0%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (5.3%)	68.7	31^st of 124 public elementary schools	75.0%		69.8	24^th of 128 public elementary schools	81.3%	7	35.2	50.0	61.6				48.2	45.0	42.9	46.7				44.7	$30,431	$1,837	$28,595
Whittier Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6201 5th St. NW	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	District of Columbia Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 576-6156	450	45	9.9	100.0%	64 (14.2%)	251 (55.8%)	108 (24.0%)	8 (1.8%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.6%)	92.5	14^th of 124 public elementary schools	88.7%		72	23^rd of 128 public elementary schools	82.0%	9	51.3	83.0	72.9				69.3	77.0	76.2	64.8				72.9	$28,710	$2,421	$26,289
Rocketship PCS - Infinity Community Prep	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	5450 3rd Street NE	Washington	20011	District Of Columbia	Rocketship Education DC PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(202) 627-2256	321	23	13.8		5 (1.6%)	223 (69.5%)	84 (26.2%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	19.4	96^th of 124 public elementary schools	22.6%		21	105^th of 128 public elementary schools	18.0%	9	8.4	17.5	13.9				13.4	25.0	15.0	2.9				14.2	$41,930	$2,638	$39,292
Breakthrough Montessori PCS	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	6923 Willow Street NW	Washington	20012	District Of Columbia	Breakthrough Montessori PCS	Yes	(n/a)	No	No	(202) 864-1979	383	23	16.6		127 (33.2%)	181 (47.3%)	28 (7.3%)	14 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (8.4%)	36.2	66^th of 124 public elementary schools	46.8%		33.4	76^th of 128 public elementary schools	40.6%	10	12.5	42.8	41.4				30.5	18.8		13.8				16.6	$30,225	$2,253	$27,972

Frequently Asked Questions about Sela PCS

Is Sela PCS a good school?

Sela PCS ranks 33^rd of 124 District Of Columbia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Sela PCS?

Students at Sela PCS are 56% African American, 26% White, 12% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Sela PCS in?

Sela PCS

How many students attend Sela PCS?

In the 2024-25 school year, 302 students attended Sela PCS.

Rate Sela PCS!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

DCDistrict Of Columbia Elementary School Rankings

DCDistrict Of Columbia District Rankings

Schools in Washington, DC

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Sela PCS!

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.