Best High Schools
in Washington, D.C.
We ranked the 52 high schools in Washington with real test data. The top 25 scored between 5.9 and 8.7 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and D.C. education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Washington for 2026 are District of Columbia International School (8.7/10), Model Secondary School for the Deaf (8.7/10), and Basis Dc Pcs (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 52 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Washington?
Every high school in Washington is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
District of Columbia International School
Washington, DC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Washington, DC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Basis Dc Pcs
Washington, DC. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Washington, D.C.'s 40 ranked high schools span a wide range of outcomes, with an average composite score of 6.4 out of 10 across the city. That average, though, doesn't tell the full story — 15 schools, or 38% of the ranked pool, score 7 or higher, signaling a meaningful tier of strong performers worth a closer look. Leading the list is Washington Leadership Academy PCS at 8.3/10, followed by Capital City PCS - HS (8.0), Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering HS (7.9), and Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy (7.7). Public charter schools are well represented among the top finishers here, reflecting D.C.'s distinctively charter-heavy landscape. Use the table below to sort by score, school type, or other factors to identify the high schools that best match what your family is looking for.
District of Columbia International School
Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Basis Dc Pcs
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Washington's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within D.C. so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 52 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia International School Charter District of Columbia International School | 8.7 |
| 2 | Model Secondary School for the Deaf | 8.7 |
| 3 | Basis Dc Pcs Charter BASIS DC PCS | 8.6 |
| 4 | School Without Walls HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 8.3 |
| 5 | Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School Charter Washington Latin PCS | 8.2 |
| 6 | Benjamin Banneker HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 8.2 |
| 7 | Kirov Academy of Washington D.c. | 7.9 |
| 8 | Jackson-reed HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 7.6 |
| 9 | Bard HS Early College Dc (bard Dc) District of Columbia Public Schools | 7.3 |
| 10 | Ron Brown College Preparatory HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 7.2 |
| 11 | Edmund Burke School | 7.2 |
| 12 | Friendship Pcs - Technology Preparatory HS Charter Friendship PCS | 7.0 |
| 13 | Mckinley Technology HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 6.9 |
| 14 | Paul Pcs - International HS Charter Paul PCS | 6.7 |
| 15 | Girls Global Academy Pcs Charter Girls Global Academy PCS | 6.5 |
| 16 | Columbia Heights Education Campus District of Columbia Public Schools | 6.4 |
| 17 | E.l. Haynes Pcs - HS Charter E.L. Haynes PCS | 6.3 |
| 18 | Richard Wright Pcs for Journalism and Media Arts Charter Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media Arts | 6.3 |
| 19 | The Field School | 6.3 |
| 20 | Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 6.2 |
| 21 | Anacostia HS District of Columbia Public Schools | 6.1 |
| 22 | St Anselm's Abbey School | 6.1 |
| 23 | Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Charter Cesar Chavez PCS for Public Policy | 6.0 |
| 24 | Kipp Dc Pcs - Legacy College Preparatory Pcs Charter KIPP DC PCS | 6.0 |
| 25 | Duke Ellington School of the Arts District of Columbia Public Schools | 5.9 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and D.C. education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in D.C.. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Washington
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Washington's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Washington
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Washington's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in D.C., with 54 schools spanning 62 school districts, plus 20 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Washington, D.C.?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, District of Columbia International School is the top-rated high school in Washington with a composite score of 8.7/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Washington, D.C.?
Washington has 54 high schools, including 20 charter schools. Of these, 52 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Washington?
The average composite score for Washington high schools is 5.9/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in D.C.).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within D.C., so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in D.C., not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Washington high school rankings?
Yes. Washington has 20 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.