Summary:
Zip code 20009 in Washington, DC is home to five elementary schools serving grades PK-5 (with Meridian PCS extending through 8th grade), offering families a wide range of academic outcomes. The schools include Meridian PCS, Marie Reed Elementary School, H.D. Cooke Elementary School, Garrison Elementary School, and Ross Elementary School—four of which are part of District of Columbia Public Schools, while Meridian is a public charter school.
For parents seeking top performance, Ross Elementary School is the clear standout: it holds the #1 rank in DC for 2025–26, with 84.4% ELA and 87.1% math proficiency, far above state averages. Marie Reed Elementary School and Garrison Elementary School are also strong, landing in the top quartile with proficiency rates in the mid-to-high 40s. H.D. Cooke Elementary School sits below state averages but has improved dramatically, jumping from a rank of #107 to #71 in one year. Meanwhile, Meridian PCS is struggling, ranking #108 with math proficiency at just 9.0%.
The biggest takeaway is that per-pupil spending does not predict success. Ross spends the least ($25,648 per student) while achieving the best results, and Meridian PCS spends the most ($32,542) yet scores the lowest. The gap within this single zip code is enormous—math proficiency ranges from 87.1% at Ross to 9.0% at Meridian. All five schools maintain low student-teacher ratios (9–10:1), showing that small classes alone do not guarantee achievement. For parents in 20009, the options vary widely, so visiting schools and understanding their unique strengths is essential.
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