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High schools · Washington, D.C. · Updated for 2026 on NCES and D.C. data

Best High Schools in Washington, D.C.

40 public high schools are compared here and the top 25 are ranked; Basis Dc Pcs leads, and District of Columbia Public Schools places 6 of the top ten, so the campus, not the district, is the thing to choose.

The fieldEvery ranked high school on the 1–10 scale.
Ranked schools run3.4The Seed Pcs of Washington Dcto8.3Basis Dc Pcson the one-to-ten scale.

40 ranked · top 25 from 5.3 to 8.3 · median 5.7

The brief

I'm choosing a school for

The top-rated high schools in Washington for 2026 are Basis Dc Pcs (8.3/10), Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School (8.2/10), and School Without Walls HS (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 40 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.

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.

Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.

  1. 1
    Basis Dc PcsBasis Dc Pcs
    8.3
  2. 2
    Washington Latin Pcs - Upper SchoolWashington Latin Pcs
    8.2
  3. 3
    School Without Walls HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
    8.2
  4. 4
    Benjamin Banneker HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
    8.1
  5. 5
    District of Columbia International SchoolDistrict of Columbia International School
    7.9
  6. 6
    Jackson-Reed HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
    7.3
  7. 7
    Ron Brown College Preparatory HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
    7.2
  8. 8
    Girls Global Academy PcsGirls Global Academy Pcs
    7.2
  9. 9
    Mckinley Technology HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
    6.8
  10. 10
    Bard HS Early College Dc (bard Dc)District of Columbia Public Schools
    6.8
The ten highest-rated high schools in Washington, best first.MySchoolScout composite scores. Updated for 2026 on NCES and D.C. data.

All 40 ranked

Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.

Top 25 of 40

Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades
  1. 1Basis Dc PcscharterBasis Dc Pcsrating 8.3students 690student-teacher ratio 13.5:1grades 5th–12th
  2. 2Washington Latin Pcs - Upper SchoolcharterWashington Latin Pcsrating 8.2students 356student-teacher ratio 9.1:1grades 9th–12th
  3. 3School Without Walls HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 8.2students 599student-teacher ratio 16.2:1grades 9th–12th
  4. 4Benjamin Banneker HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 8.1students 671student-teacher ratio 17.7:1grades 9th–12th
  5. 5District of Columbia International SchoolcharterDistrict of Columbia International Schoolrating 7.9students 1,619student-teacher ratio 10.7:1grades 6th–12th
  6. 6Jackson-Reed HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 7.3students 1,994student-teacher ratio 14.3:1grades 9th–12th
  7. 7Ron Brown College Preparatory HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 7.2students 161student-teacher ratio 5.8:1grades 9th–12th
  8. 8Girls Global Academy PcscharterGirls Global Academy Pcsrating 7.2students 210student-teacher ratio 8.1:1grades 9th–12th
  9. 9Mckinley Technology HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 6.8students 704student-teacher ratio 14.7:1grades 9th–12th
  10. 10Bard HS Early College Dc (bard Dc)District of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 6.8students 369student-teacher ratio 11.5:1grades 9th–12th
  11. 11Paul Pcs - International HScharterPaul Pcsrating 6.6students 438student-teacher ratio 9.1:1grades 9th–12th
  12. 12Friendship Pcs - Technology Preparatory HScharterFriendship Pcsrating 6.5students 327student-teacher ratio 7.8:1grades 9th–12th
  13. 13E.l. Haynes Pcs - HScharterE.l. Haynes Pcsrating 6.2students 439student-teacher ratio 8.8:1grades 9th–12th
  14. 14Luke C. Moore HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 6.1students 264student-teacher ratio 13.2:1grades 9th–12th
  15. 15Columbia Heights Education CampusDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 6.1students 1,494student-teacher ratio 10.5:1grades 6th–12th
  16. 16Phelps Architecture Construction and Engineering HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 6.0students 310student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades 9th–12th
  17. 17Richard Wright Pcs for Journalism and Media ArtscharterRichard Wright Pcs For Journalism and Media Artsrating 6.0students 309student-teacher ratio 12.9:1grades 8th–12th
  18. 18Duke Ellington School of the ArtsDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 5.8students 579student-teacher ratio 48.2:1grades 9th–12th
  19. 19H.d. Woodson HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 5.7students 544student-teacher ratio 10.7:1grades 9th–12th
  20. 20Ballou HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 5.7students 585student-teacher ratio 9.8:1grades 9th–12th
  21. 21Kipp Dc Pcs - Legacy College Preparatory PcscharterKipp Dc Pcsrating 5.7students 495student-teacher ratio 10.3:1grades 9th–12th
  22. 22Washington Leadership Academy PcscharterWashington Leadership Academy Pcsrating 5.7students 398student-teacher ratio 8.7:1grades 9th–12th
  23. 23Goodwill Excel Center PcscharterGoodwill Excel Center Pcsrating 5.7students 441student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades 9th–12th
  24. 24Anacostia HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 5.5students 244student-teacher ratio 7.9:1grades 9th–12th
  25. 25Eastern HSDistrict of Columbia Public Schoolsrating 5.3students 866student-teacher ratio 11.2:1grades 9th–12th

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.

The map

The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.
The top 25 high schools in Washington, pinned and colored by score.Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.

Open the Washington DC school map

Campus by campus

What each of the top ten reports.
  1. 1

    Basis Dc Pcs

    Basis Dc Pcs

    690 students · 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 5th–12th

    Top 13% in D.C. · charter

    Academics
    9.7
    Growth
    8.8
    Environment
    6.3
  2. 2

    Washington Latin Pcs - Upper School

    Washington Latin Pcs

    356 students · 9.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 14% in D.C. · charter

    Academics
    9.4
    Growth
    7.2
    Environment
    7.2
  3. 3

    School Without Walls HS

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    599 students · 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 15% in D.C.

    Academics
    10.0
    Growth
    6.1
    Environment
    6.9
  4. 4

    Benjamin Banneker HS

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    671 students · 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 16% in D.C.

    Academics
    9.8
    Growth
    6.4
    Environment
    6.0
  5. 5

    District of Columbia International School

    District of Columbia International School

    1,619 students · 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th

    Top 20% in D.C. · charter

    Academics
    8.9
    Growth
    9.4
    Environment
    7.0
  6. 6

    Jackson-Reed HS

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    1,994 students · 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 29% in D.C.

    Academics
    9.3
    Growth
    6.7
    Environment
    4.2
  7. 7

    Ron Brown College Preparatory HS

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    161 students · 5.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 31% in D.C.

    Academics
    4.7
    Growth
    8.6
    Environment
    9.9
  8. 8

    Girls Global Academy Pcs

    Girls Global Academy Pcs

    210 students · 8.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 32% in D.C. · charter

    Academics
    4.6
    Growth
    8.5
    Environment
    9.9
  9. 9

    Mckinley Technology HS

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    704 students · 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 42% in D.C.

    Academics
    9.1
    Growth
    3.2
    Environment
    4.9
  10. 10

    Bard HS Early College Dc (bard Dc)

    District of Columbia Public Schools

    369 students · 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th

    Top 42% in D.C.

    Academics
    7.2
    Growth
    9.8
    Environment
    1.7

Questions

What is the best high school in Washington, D.C.?

According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Basis Dc Pcs is the top-rated high school in Washington with a composite score of 8.3/10. 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 56 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?

Among 52 Washington high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.8/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in D.C.).

How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?

Schools with enough data receive 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?

Washington has 20 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.

How should I use this ranking?

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.

See all 300 schools in Washington

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