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#138 of 240 schools in DC

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

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#138 of 240

In Washington

#138 of 240

public schools

In district

#74 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Equity

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Duke Ellington School of the Arts

5.9/10

High School in Washington · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hardy MS

8.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

4.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a public high school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Duke Ellington School of the Arts serves approximately 579 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 48.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Duke Ellington School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #138 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Duke Ellington School of the Arts show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • DC avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Duke Ellington School of the Arts runs 48.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

35% of students at Duke Ellington School of the Arts 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.9% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.1 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING), Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
vs. Expected+5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
College Readiness9.4Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation37.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio48.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,629
Chronic Absenteeism34.9%

Duke Ellington School of the Arts — Students at Duke Ellington School of the Arts score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores DC OSSE DC CAPE school-level (% Meeting or Exceeding) (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
27.5% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 61.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.8% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))

Based on 26 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
8%
ELA
61%
2025
Math
16%
ELA
56.9%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.1/10.

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
5.9/10
43th percentile in DC
Academic
8.2/10
Excellent
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.8
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
48:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
37.1% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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), which scores slightly higher. Another option is FUSION ACADEMY WDC: WASHINGTON D.C. (rated 5.7/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 4.5/10, 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 8.2
GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL Washington 0.3 mi 4.5
BRITISH INT'L SCHL WASHINGTON Washington 0.3 mi 5.6
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington 0.4 mi 6.6
Hyde-Addison ES Washington 0.5 mi 7.7
THE FRENCH MATERNAL SCHOOL Washington 0.6 mi
GEORGETOWN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington 0.8 mi
Stoddert ES Washington 0.8 mi 8.9
Oyster-Adams Bilingual School Washington 1.0 mi 8.1
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Washington 1.2 mi 7.4
MARET SCHOOL Washington 1.2 mi 8.1
ST PATRICKS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington 1.0 mi 6.3
THE FIELD SCHOOL Washington 1.1 mi 6.3
AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington 1.2 mi 8.0
Eaton ES Washington 1.4 mi 8.2
ACTON ACADEMY OF WASHINGTON, DC Washington 1.2 mi
ST PATRICK'S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington 1.1 mi 7.0
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Washington 1.4 mi 6.6
OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL Washington 1.3 mi 7.6
FUSION ACADEMY WDC: WASHINGTON D.C. Washington 1.4 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Washington, DC 6.0
KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS Washington, DC 6.0
Ballou HS Washington, DC 5.8
H.D. Woodson HS Washington, DC 5.8
Washington Leadership Academy PCS Washington, DC 5.8
E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington, DC 6.3

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 ranks #138 of 240 schools in DC.

What is Duke Ellington School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Duke Ellington School of the Arts has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Duke Ellington School of the Arts?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Duke Ellington School of the Arts has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.9%
4-Year Graduation
95%+
% meeting SAT college-ready benchmark (DC OSSE Report Card SY2024-25)
21.4%

District

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

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