Average
#169 of 240 schools in DC
Ballou HS
High School · District of Columbia Public Schools
3401 4th St. SE, Washington, DC 20032
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
585
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#169 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia high schools
#33 of 40
In district
#88 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ballou HS
Ballou HS is a regular public high school located in the heart of Washington, D.C., at 3401 4th St. SE. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 585 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1.
With 60 full-time equivalent teachers, Ballou HS focuses on providing individualized attention to its diverse student body. Academically, the school is rated at 3.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 193rd best high school in D.C., placing it in the 20th percentile among local schools. Test scores show that only 4% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 2% meet proficiency standards in math.
While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, Ballou HS is dedicated to supporting its students through various educational programs and resources. Ballou HS is situated in a large city setting, offering students access to the vibrant cultural and professional opportunities that Washington, D.C., has to offer.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Ballou HS are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Ballou HS offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Ballou HS — Students at Ballou HS score 3% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores DC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.
How Ballou HS Compares
See how Ballou HS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 2.5% (2019) to 0.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 2.5% (2019) to 5% (2022).
Location
3401 4th St. SE, Washington, DC 20032
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballou HS may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ballou STAY HS (rated 5.7/10), with a very similar rating. Another option is KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS (rated 5.2/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Friendship PCS - Technology Preparatory HS (rated 3.9/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,146
Median Home Value
$391,400
Median Rent
$1,285/mo
Population
38,828
College Educated
23.3%
Homeownership
22.4%
Avg Commute
36.3 min
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Median Age
34.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballou HS has a median household income of $48,146. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $391,400, with a median rent of $1,285/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Washington, DC | 5.5 |
| Roosevelt STAY HS Washington, DC | 5.6 |
| Ballou STAY HS Washington, DC | 5.7 |
| KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS Washington, DC | 5.2 |
| Paul PCS - International HS Washington, DC | 5.8 |
| Cardozo Education Campus Washington, DC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballou HS
What grades does Ballou HS serve?
Ballou HS serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Ballou HS?
Ballou HS has an enrollment of approximately 585 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballou HS?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballou HS is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballou HS rank in DC?
Ballou HS is ranked #169 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Ballou HS's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballou HS has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ballou HS?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballou HS has 1.5% math proficiency and 3.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ballou HS a charter school?
No, Ballou HS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballou HS a Title I school?
No, Ballou HS is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,514/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 585
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 645-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #88 of 116
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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