Average
#130 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
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
603
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
District of Columbia schools
#130 of 240
In Washington
#130 of 240
public schools
In district
#72 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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Brightwood ES
Elementary School in Washington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Friendship Pcs - Online Academy
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Military Road Early Learning Center
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Brightwood ES
Brightwood ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Brightwood ES serves approximately 603 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 9:1 student-teacher ratio. Brightwood ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #130 of 240 schools in DC.
Structured state assessment records for Brightwood ES show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 6.8
- DC avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 9:1 students to teachers, Brightwood ES sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
32% of students at Brightwood ES were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Brightwood ES — Students at Brightwood ES score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Test Scores DC OSSE DC CAPE school-level (% Meeting or Exceeding) (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 6.1/10.
How Brightwood ES Compares
See how Brightwood ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Whittier ES (rated 8.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dorothy I. Height ES (rated 8.7/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Center City PCS - Brightwood (rated 8.1/10, 0.2 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 | 6.3 |
| Center City PCS - Brightwood Washington | 0.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Paul PCS - MS Washington | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Paul PCS - International HS Washington | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| MILTON GOTTESMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE NATION'S Washington | 0.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Truesdell ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| John Lewis ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Whittier ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Ida B. Wells MS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Coolidge HS Washington | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| District of Columbia International School Washington | 0.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Takoma ES Washington | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - ES Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Dorothy I. Height ES Washington | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| MacFarland MS Washington | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington | 0.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Capital City PCS - MS Washington | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bridges PCS Washington, DC | 6.1 |
| Browne Education Campus Washington, DC | 6.2 |
| DC Prep PCS - Benning ES Washington, DC | 5.9 |
| Truesdell ES Washington, DC | 5.9 |
| ST PATRICKS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington, DC | 6.3 |
| Creative Minds International PCS Washington, DC | 5.8 |
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 ranks #130 of 240 schools in DC.
What is Brightwood ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Brightwood ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Brightwood ES?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Brightwood ES has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.0%
- Phone
- (202) 722-5670
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #72 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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