District of Columbia Public Schools operates 116 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | District of Columbia Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 49,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 116 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $24,535/yr | $13,700/yr | ↑ 104% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Public Schools (this district) | 10/10 | 99th | 50,131 |
| DC Public Schools | NR | — | 49,000 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 1 rated districts in DC → 99th percentile → 10/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About District of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 20032 in Washington, Washington D.C.. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 20032. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
District of Columbia Public Schools spent $24,535 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 12% above District of Columbia’s statewide $22,000 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 3,081 students, an estimated 70% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
District of Columbia Public Schools is a major metropolitan district with 116 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 50,131 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates District of Columbia Public Schools 10 out of 10 — top-tier among Washington D.C. public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Washington D.C. is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
District of Columbia Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Washington D.C. on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 20032 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 20032
Children in zip code 20032 are assigned to District of Columbia Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 20032, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact District of Columbia Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Washington D.C. districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Washington
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because District of Columbia Public Schools serves zip code 20032, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 20032. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Washington D.C., property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support District of Columbia Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 20032.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with District of Columbia Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20032 data.