Best Public Schools in Zip Code 20012

ZIP code 20012 in Washington, DC contains 4 schools serving approximately 2,914 students: three elementary schools (Shepherd Elementary, Takoma Elementary, and Breakthrough Montessori PCS) and one combined middle/high school (District of Columbia International School), with no standalone middle schools in the area. These schools represent a mix of traditional District of Columbia Public Schools and public charter LEAs, and they span an exceptionally wide range of academic performance.

Shepherd Elementary is the clear standout among elementary schools, ranking 12th out of 124 DC elementary schools (5 stars) with 72.3% ELA and 66.1% math proficiency — roughly 30 points above state averages — and 50% 5th-grade science proficiency versus 20.4% statewide. In contrast, Takoma Elementary and Breakthrough Montessori PCS both sit near the 46th–47th percentile (2 stars), trailing Shepherd by 42–49 percentage points in math and reading. District of Columbia International School, the only secondary option in the ZIP, is a standout as well: it ranks 7th of 36 DC high schools (4 stars) with a 94.8% graduation rate and 56.3% ELA proficiency, though its 33.8% math proficiency — and especially Algebra I (16.8%) and Geometry (22.7%) — remains a concern.

Notably, higher spending and smaller classes do not guarantee better outcomes: Takoma Elementary spends the most per student ($28,743) and has the lowest student–teacher ratio (9.8), yet posts some of the weakest scores, while Shepherd Elementary spends about $4,100 less per student with larger classes and achieves dramatically stronger results. Math is the ZIP code's biggest concern — every school except Shepherd is below 34% math proficiency, and Takoma shows troubling grade-level declines (3rd-grade math drops from 36.2% to 15.6% by 4th grade). It is also worth noting there is no standalone middle school in 20012; District of Columbia International School is the only in-ZIP option for grades 6–8. Overall, this ZIP code offers a top-tier elementary school in Shepherd and a strong secondary option in DC International, but the two other elementary schools are struggling to meet state averages — making school choice especially important for families in the area.