Summary:
ZIP code 20002 in Washington, D.C. is home to five high schools serving roughly 2,146 students across grades 6–12 and 9–12, representing traditional public schools, public charter schools, and alternative programs through the District of Columbia Public Schools, KIPP Dc Pcs, Kingsman Academy PCS, and Dyrs districts. The schools vary dramatically in size and mission, from McKinley Technology High School with 723 students to Maya Angelou Academy at Youth Services Center with just 84.
The clear standout is McKinley Technology High School, ranked #3 of 36 DC high schools with a 98.2% graduation rate and 75.2% ELA proficiency — well above the DC state averages of 78.7% and 39.6%. Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering High School is the second-strongest option, ranking #9 with a 94.4% graduation rate and 41.7% ELA proficiency, though its math (10.5%) and science (2.9%) scores lag. KIPP DC - College Preparatory PCS ranks #16 with an 86.4% graduation rate but only 31.9% ELA and 5.8% math proficiency. McKinley and KIPP serve similar enrollments, yet McKinley outperforms KIPP by 43 points in ELA and nearly 25 points in math while spending less per student.
The biggest systemic issue across the ZIP is weak math and science proficiency — even McKinley posts just 30.5% math and 15.5% science proficiency, meaning two-thirds or more of students at every reporting school are not proficient in math. Spending does not predict performance: Kingsman Academy PCS spends the most per student ($39,438) yet reports the lowest graduation rate (36.7%) and 4.6% ELA proficiency. Kingsman and Maya Angelou Academy at Youth Services Center serve specialized or high-needs populations and should not be compared directly to traditional schools. Ultimately, ZIP 20002 offers families a two-tier landscape — an elite option in McKinley, a solid career-themed choice in Phelps, and much weaker outcomes elsewhere — making school choice particularly consequential.
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