Thomson ES vs DC Bilingual PCS
DC Bilingual PCS has a higher overall rating of 9.5/10 compared to 8.9/10. DC Bilingual PCS is significantly larger with 579 students, about 2.3× the size of Thomson ES (253). In math proficiency, DC Bilingual PCS leads at 32.0%.
Thomson ES
Washington, DC
253 students
DC Bilingual PCS
Washington, DC
579 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | Thomson ES | DC Bilingual PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.9 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 8.8 | 9.3 |
| Growth Score | 9.5 | 9.9 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Environment Score | 7.5 | 8.7 |
| State Rank | #5 of 240 | #1 of 240 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 100th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Thomson ES | DC Bilingual PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 32.0% | 32.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 32.0% | 42.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Thomson ES | DC Bilingual PCS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Pre-K – 5th | Pre-K – 5th |
| Enrollment | 253 | 579 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 8.7:1 | 8.4:1 |
| Per-Pupil Spending | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | — | — |
| Chronic Absenteeism | — | — |
| District | District of Columbia Public Schools | DC Bilingual PCS |
| City | Washington | Washington |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Washington (20005) | Washington (20011) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $111,960 | $108,377 |
| Median Home Value | $636,000 | $722,200 |
| Median Rent | $2,223 | $1,636 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 80.4% | 54.7% |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 10.1% |
| Avg Commute | 26 min | 32 min |
The data story: Thomson ES vs DC Bilingual PCS
DC Bilingual PCS edges out Thomson ES by 0.6 points in overall rating — 9.5 versus 8.9 — but the more telling figure is state rank: DC Bilingual PCS sits at #1 of 240 schools in the District of Columbia, while Thomson ES ranks #5 of 240. Both schools clear a very high bar; parents are choosing between two of the strongest elementary options in Washington. The separation is real but narrow, and the decision turns on specifics rather than a clear quality gap.
Academically, DC Bilingual PCS scores 9.3 versus Thomson ES's 8.8 — a half-point delta that tracks with its top ranking. The growth gap is tighter but consistent: DC Bilingual PCS posts a 9.9 growth score against Thomson ES's 9.5, meaning students at DC Bilingual PCS are advancing at a marginally faster rate relative to their starting points. Neither school shows a weakness in either dimension; the difference is a matter of degree at an already elite level.
Thomson ES enrolls 253 students compared to DC Bilingual PCS's 579 — a more than two-to-one difference that meaningfully shapes the school environment. Despite DC Bilingual PCS's larger enrollment, its student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1 actually runs slightly leaner than Thomson ES's 8.7:1, suggesting strong staffing relative to its size. Families who want a smaller, more intimate campus will find that at Thomson ES; those who prefer a larger, more resourced community without sacrificing individualized attention have that option at DC Bilingual PCS.
Both schools serve grades PK through 05 and sit 3.7 miles apart in Washington, D.C., making geography a live consideration for many families. The structural difference is significant: Thomson ES is a regular public school with neighborhood assignment, while DC Bilingual PCS is a public charter that requires an application and lottery. DC Bilingual PCS's defining program feature is its dual-language model, a programmatic distinction Thomson ES does not share. Families committed to bilingual education will find DC Bilingual PCS purpose-built for that outcome in a way Thomson ES simply is not.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Thomson ES
Thomson ES fits families who want a traditional neighborhood public school with a small, close-knit campus of 253 students and no application process. At #5 in the District, it delivers near-top academic outcomes in a setting where staff and students are more likely to know each other by name — a better match for parents who prioritize community feel over a specific language program.
DC Bilingual PCS
DC Bilingual PCS is the right choice for families who want dual-language instruction from prekindergarten onward and are willing to navigate a charter lottery to get it. Ranked #1 of 240 D.C. schools with a 9.9 growth score, it combines the district's strongest academic trajectory with a structured bilingual environment — purpose-built for parents raising multilingual children.