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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation37.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.1Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio48.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

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%).

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 12.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.0%
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
17%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
61%

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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
77th percentile in DC
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.1/10
Below average

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
92 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
68 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,514/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.

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
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
#30 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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