Below Average
#205 of 240 schools in DC
Brightwood ES
Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools
1300 Nicholson St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#205 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#118 of 145
In district
#108 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Brightwood ES
Brightwood ES is an elementary school in Washington, D.C., catering to students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 603 and a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs. Brightwood ES has 67 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting academic growth and development.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, reflecting room for improvement in certain areas. It ranks at #139 among 240 schools in the District of Columbia, placing it around the 42nd percentile. In terms of specific test performance, 24% of students are proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math.
Brightwood ES is situated in a bustling urban environment within Washington, D.C., offering students plenty of opportunities to engage with their community beyond the classroom. Despite its ranking, Brightwood ES remains an active part of its neighborhood, focused on student development and growth.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Brightwood ES 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Brightwood ES — Students at Brightwood ES score 14% 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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How Brightwood ES Compares
See how Brightwood ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
1300 Nicholson St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brightwood ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Takoma ES (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MILTON GOTTESMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE NATION'S (rated 6.9/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 0.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Friendship PCS - Online Academy Washington | 0.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Military Road Early Learning Center Washington | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Center City PCS - Brightwood Washington | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Paul PCS - MS Washington | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Paul PCS - International HS Washington | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| MILTON GOTTESMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE NATION'S Washington | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Truesdell ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| John Lewis ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Whittier ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Ida B. Wells MS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Coolidge HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.1 |
| District of Columbia International School Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Takoma ES Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - ES Washington | 1.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Dorothy I. Height ES Washington | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| MacFarland MS Washington | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Capital City PCS - MS Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$108,377
Median Home Value
$722,200
Median Rent
$1,636/mo
Population
66,951
College Educated
54.7%
Homeownership
53.9%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
37.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brightwood ES has a median household income of $108,377. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $722,200, with a median rent of $1,636/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DC Prep PCS - Edgewood ES Washington, DC | 4.8 |
| Friendship PCS - Southeast Elementary Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| Lawrence E. Boone ES Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| Truesdell ES Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Washington, DC | 4.9 |
| Browne Education Campus Washington, DC | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brightwood ES
What grades does Brightwood ES serve?
Brightwood ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Brightwood ES?
Brightwood ES has an enrollment of approximately 603 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brightwood ES?
The student-teacher ratio at Brightwood ES is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brightwood ES rank in DC?
Brightwood ES is ranked #205 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Brightwood ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Brightwood ES has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Brightwood ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brightwood ES has 24.5% math proficiency and 24.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brightwood ES a charter school?
No, Brightwood ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brightwood ES a Title I school?
No, Brightwood ES 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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 603
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 722-5670
- 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
- #108 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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