Shepherd ES vs Hearst ES

Hearst ES and Shepherd ES rank among the top elementary schools in Washington, District of Columbia, but Hearst holds a measurable edge overall. Hearst ES scores 9.6 out of 10 against Shepherd ES's 9.2 — a 0.4-point gap — and that difference is reflected in their state ranks: Hearst ES sits at #2 of 240 schools in the District of Columbia while Shepherd ES ranks #7 of 240. Both positions are exceptional, but families prioritizing the absolute highest-rated option have a clear answer.

The academic and growth data reinforce that gap. On academic performance, Hearst ES scores 9.7 out of 10 compared to Shepherd ES's 9.4 — a 0.3-point delta. The growth score spread is wider: Hearst ES earns 9.7 while Shepherd ES earns 9.0, a 0.7-point difference that suggests students at Hearst are making stronger year-over-year academic gains relative to their peers, not just entering with stronger foundations.

Both schools serve PK through 5th grade and operate at similar enrollment sizes — Shepherd ES at 363 students and Hearst ES at 337 — keeping them both in small-school territory. The student-teacher ratio at Hearst ES is 11.6:1 versus 12.1:1 at Shepherd ES, meaning Hearst classes average roughly half a student fewer per teacher. Neither school is large or crowded, but Hearst's slightly tighter ratio gives it a marginal advantage in classroom attention.

The two campuses sit 3.7 miles apart within Washington, District of Columbia, both serving the same PK–05 grade band. Families who live equidistant from each school or are willing to cross neighborhoods face a genuine choice: Shepherd ES offers an outstanding #7 ranking with strong academics, while Hearst ES's #2 ranking, higher growth score, and marginally lower student-teacher ratio give it the edge across every measured dimension.