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Average

#96 of 240 schools in DC

Top 40% in state

C.w. Harris ES

Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools

301 53rd St. SE, Washington, DC 20019

Enrollment

261

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#96 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia elementary schools

#59 of 145

In district

#51 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About C.w. Harris ES

C.W. Harris ES is an elementary school located in Washington, D.C., serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 261 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.3:1, the school benefits from a relatively small class size that allows for more personalized attention to each child's needs.

The dedicated staff includes 23 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering a supportive learning environment. While C.W. Harris ES currently ranks in the lower half of schools across the District of Columbia with an academic score of 2.4 out of 10, the school is focused on continuous improvement and student development.

In recent assessments, only 8% of students were proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, while 10% met proficiency standards in math. The school community aims to provide a nurturing atmosphere that encourages academic growth and holistic development. C.W.

Harris ES is situated in the heart of Washington, D.C., offering its students access to the cultural and educational resources of a large city.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at C.w. Harris ES 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.2Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency7.5%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

C.w. Harris ES — Students at C.w. Harris ES score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores DC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 7.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How C.w. Harris ES Compares

See how C.w. Harris ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in DC
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Location

301 53rd St. SE, Washington, DC 20019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering C.w. Harris ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Capitol Heights Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Capitol Heights), which scores notably higher. Another option is Garfield ES (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Plummer ES (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Nalle ES Washington 0.3 mi 5.5
DC Scholars PCS Washington 0.5 mi 3.7
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS Washington 0.4 mi 5.1
KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS Washington 0.4 mi 5.4
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS Washington 0.4 mi 3.8
KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS Washington 0.6 mi 7.4
KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS Washington 0.6 mi 3.6
KIPP DC - Arts and Technology Academy PCS Washington 0.6 mi 4.7
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - East End Washington 0.6 mi 6.9
Maya Angelou PCS - HS Washington 0.6 mi 6.9
Kelly Miller MS Washington 0.8 mi 6.0
Garfield ES Washington 0.7 mi 7.4
Bradbury Heights Elementary Capital Heights 0.9 mi 5.7
H.D. Woodson HS Washington 0.9 mi 7.5
Capitol Heights Elementary Capitol Heights 0.7 mi 9.3
Drew ES Washington 0.9 mi 5.2
THE MONROE SCHOOL Washington 1.0 mi
Plummer ES Washington 0.8 mi 7.2
William W. Hall Academy Capitol Heights 1.0 mi 5.5
Smothers ES Washington 1.0 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,031

Median Home Value

$437,600

Median Rent

$1,174/mo

Population

64,365

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

35.7 min

Poverty Rate

24.9%

Median Age

33.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding C.w. Harris ES has a median household income of $57,031. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $437,600, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, 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
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary Washington, DC 6.8
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington, DC 6.7
Amidon-Bowen ES Washington, DC 6.9
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Washington, DC 6.9
Center City PCS - Shaw Washington, DC 6.9
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - East End Washington, DC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about C.w. Harris ES

What grades does C.w. Harris ES serve?

C.w. Harris ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend C.w. Harris ES?

C.w. Harris ES has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at C.w. Harris ES?

The student-teacher ratio at C.w. Harris ES is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does C.w. Harris ES rank in DC?

C.w. Harris ES is ranked #96 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is C.w. Harris ES's MySchoolScout rating?

C.w. Harris ES has a composite rating of 6.8 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 C.w. Harris ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, C.w. Harris ES has 9.8% math proficiency and 7.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is C.w. Harris ES a charter school?

No, C.w. Harris ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is C.w. Harris ES a Title I school?

No, C.w. Harris ES is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
261
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
District of Columbia
Data Year
2023–2024

District

District of Columbia Public Schools
District Enrollment
51,294
Schools in District
117
Per-Pupil Spending
$31,629
District Rank
#51 of 116

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.

Read our full methodology

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