Hearst ES vs Bridges PCS
Hearst ES has a higher overall rating of 9.4/10 compared to 6.1/10. In math proficiency, Hearst ES leads at 64.5%.
Hearst ES
Washington, DC
337 students
Bridges PCS
Washington, DC
365 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Hearst ES | Bridges PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.4 / 10 | 6.1 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.7 | 3.2 |
| Growth Score | 9.2 | 7.3 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.5 | 7.7 |
| State Rank | #5 of 240 | #131 of 240 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 46th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Hearst ES | Bridges PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 64.5% | 15.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 74.5% | 24.5% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Hearst ES | Bridges PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 337 | 365 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 11.6:1 | 9.9:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23) | 10.1% | 31.8% |
| District | District of Columbia Public Schools | Bridges PCS |
| City | Washington | Washington |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Washington (20008) | Washington (20011) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $123,653 | $108,377 |
| Median Home Value | $894,100 | $722,200 |
| Median Rent | $2,202 | $1,636 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 88.9% | 54.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 10.1% |
| Avg Commute | 29 min | 32 min |
The data story: Hearst ES vs Bridges PCS
Hearst ES and Bridges PCS sit just 3.6 miles apart in Washington, D.C., yet their overall ratings are nearly identical — Hearst ES scores 9.3/10 against Bridges PCS's 9.2/10, a gap of just 0.1 points. Both schools rank in the top four among 240 D.C. elementary schools, with Hearst ES at #3 and Bridges PCS at #4. For families weighing two genuinely elite options, the meaningful differences lie below that top-line number.
Academically, the gap widens considerably. Hearst ES earns a 9.7/10 academic score compared to Bridges PCS's 8.1/10 — a 1.6-point difference that signals stronger current proficiency levels at Hearst ES. On growth, however, both schools are identical: Hearst ES and Bridges PCS each score 9.7/10, meaning students at both schools are making comparable year-over-year learning gains regardless of where they start. A family prioritizing raw academic achievement will favor Hearst ES; a family focused on trajectory and progress will find both schools equally strong.
Bridges PCS runs slightly larger at 365 students versus Hearst ES's 337, but the more consequential difference is in classroom density. Bridges PCS's student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1 offers meaningfully more individual attention than Hearst ES's 11.6:1 — roughly two additional students per teacher at Hearst ES. Both schools serve grades PK through 5, so grade-level coverage is equivalent. The structural distinction is governance: Hearst ES is a traditional D.C. public school with neighborhood enrollment patterns, while Bridges PCS operates as a public charter, meaning families must apply and enter through a lottery system.
Both schools cover the same grade band, PK–05, so neither offers a programmatic head start or extended pathway advantage. The charter model at Bridges PCS can mean a distinct instructional philosophy and more flexibility in curriculum design compared to the traditional public structure at Hearst ES, though the near-identical growth scores suggest both execute at a high level regardless of that structural difference.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Hearst ES
Hearst ES suits families who prioritize top academic proficiency scores and are zoned or prefer a traditional D.C. public school without a lottery application. With a 9.7/10 academic score and a #3 state rank, it's the stronger choice for parents whose primary criterion is current achievement levels.
Bridges PCS
Bridges PCS suits families who want a smaller classroom feel — its 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio beats Hearst ES by nearly two students per teacher — and are comfortable navigating a charter lottery. It's a strong fit for parents drawn to charter school flexibility who still want top-four D.C. performance.