Very Good
#57 of 240 schools in DC
Top 23% in state
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
High School · District of Columbia Public Schools
3500 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
48.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
579
Student-Teacher
48.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#57 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia high schools
#10 of 40
In district
#30 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic performance
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Duke Ellington School of the Arts
Duke Ellington School of the Arts serves 579 students in grades 9-12 as a specialized public high school in Washington, D.C. Named after the legendary jazz musician, this arts-focused institution ranks #55 out of 240 schools in the District of Columbia, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide with a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. The school demonstrates strong performance in English Language Arts, with 59% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics presents an area with significant room for academic growth, as the school focuses on developing students' quantitative skills alongside their artistic talents. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 48:1. Duke Ellington attracts students passionate about the arts while providing a comprehensive high school education.
The school's academic score of 8.4 out of 10 reflects its commitment to balancing artistic excellence with solid educational fundamentals. Located at 3500 R Street NW, the school sits in an affluent Washington neighborhood where the median household income reaches $145,048 and 88% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating a highly educated community environment that values both academic achievement and creative expression.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Duke Ellington School of the Arts is 48.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Duke Ellington School of the Arts — Students at Duke Ellington School of the Arts score 34% proficient, which is above 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: 8.4/10.
How Duke Ellington School of the Arts Compares
See how Duke Ellington School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 8% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 61% (2022).
Location
3500 R St. NW, Washington, DC 20007
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Duke Ellington School of the Arts may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE FIELD SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is FUSION ACADEMY WDC: WASHINGTON D.C. (rated 5.9/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy MS Washington | 0.2 mi | 7.6 |
| GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL Washington | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| BRITISH INT'L SCHL WASHINGTON Washington | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington | 0.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Hyde-Addison ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| THE FRENCH MATERNAL SCHOOL Washington | 0.6 mi | — |
| GEORGETOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington | 0.8 mi | — |
| Stoddert ES Washington | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Oyster-Adams Bilingual School Washington | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Washington | 1.2 mi | 7.5 |
| MARET SCHOOL Washington | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| ST PATRICKS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| THE FIELD SCHOOL Washington | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Eaton ES Washington | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
| ACTON ACADEMY OF WASHINGTON, DC Washington | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST PATRICK'S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.1 |
| WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Washington | 1.4 mi | 6.6 |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL Washington | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| FUSION ACADEMY WDC: WASHINGTON D.C. Washington | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,783
Median Home Value
$1,202,900
Median Rent
$2,066/mo
Population
23,696
College Educated
86.9%
Homeownership
57.4%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Duke Ellington School of the Arts has a median household income of $142,783. It is a well-educated community where 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,202,900, with a median rent of $2,066/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| BASIS DC PCS Washington, DC | 7.5 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington, DC | 7.5 |
| H.D. Woodson HS Washington, DC | 7.5 |
| KIPP DC - College Preparatory PCS Washington, DC | 7.1 |
| McKinley Technology HS Washington, DC | 7.1 |
| School Without Walls HS Washington, DC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Duke Ellington School of the Arts
What grades does Duke Ellington School of the Arts serve?
Duke Ellington School of the Arts serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Duke Ellington School of the Arts?
Duke Ellington School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 579 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Duke Ellington School of the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Duke Ellington School of the Arts is 48.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Duke Ellington School of the Arts rank in DC?
Duke Ellington School of the Arts is ranked #57 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Duke Ellington School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Duke Ellington School of the Arts has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Duke Ellington School of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Duke Ellington School of the Arts has 12.5% math proficiency and 59.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Duke Ellington School of the Arts a charter school?
No, Duke Ellington School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Duke Ellington School of the Arts a Title I school?
No, Duke Ellington School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 579
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 48.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 282-0123
- 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
- #30 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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