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Below Average

#222 of 240 schools in DC

Idea Pcs

High School · IDEA PCS

1027 45TH STREET NE, Washington, DC 20019

Charter

Enrollment

309

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#222 of 240

In Washington

#222 of 240

public schools

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Idea Pcs

4.1/10

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

Ron Brown College Preparatory HS

7.2/10

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

Lorraine H. Whitlock ES

7.2/10

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

About Idea Pcs

Idea Pcs is a public high school in Washington, DC, part of IDEA PCS. Idea Pcs serves approximately 309 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Pcs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #222 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Idea Pcs show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.8 pts below DC schools
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • DC avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Idea Pcs is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

86% of students at Idea Pcs 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 Progress3.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.63 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency3.8% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.5% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg-23.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.3 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING), Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate64.5%
AP Participation2.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$36,919
Chronic Absenteeism86.1%

Idea Pcs — Students at Idea Pcs score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

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

Math Proficiency 21.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
27.5% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 29.4% (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
33%
ELA
40%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
64.5%
ELA
54.5%
2014
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2018
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2025
Math
3.8%
ELA
22.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.

How Idea Pcs Compares

See how Idea Pcs performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
8th percentile in DC
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.8
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
86.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
2.6% participation·State avg: 2.8 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

1027 45TH STREET NE, Washington, DC 20019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Pcs may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ron Brown College Preparatory HS (rated 7.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy (rated 6.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, H.D. Woodson HS (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ron Brown College Preparatory HS Washington 0.3 mi 7.2
Lorraine H. Whitlock ES Washington 0.3 mi 7.2
Houston ES Washington 0.4 mi 4.8
MUHAMMAD UNIVERSITY OF ISLAM Washington 0.5 mi 6.1
THE MONROE SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi
Smothers ES Washington 0.8 mi 4.6
Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington 0.7 mi 5.5
Global Citizens PCS Washington 0.7 mi 7.7
Kelly Miller MS Washington 0.8 mi 3.9
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Washington 0.7 mi 6.0
Burrville ES Washington 0.8 mi 5.0
Robert R. Gray Elementary Capital Heights 0.8 mi 4.9
Thomas ES Washington 0.8 mi 4.9
DC Prep PCS - Benning ES Washington 1.0 mi 5.9
DC Prep PCS - Benning MS Washington 1.0 mi 5.9
H.D. Woodson HS Washington 0.9 mi 5.8
DC Wildflower PCS - The Riverseed School Washington 0.9 mi
KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS Washington 1.1 mi 5.6
KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS Washington 1.1 mi 4.3
KIPP DC - Arts and Technology Academy PCS Washington 1.1 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Maya Angelou PCS - HS Washington, DC 4.2
The SEED PCS of Washington DC Washington, DC 4.3
Kingsman Academy PCS Washington, DC 5.1
Luke C. Moore HS Washington, DC 5.3
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL Washington, DC 5.4
Capital City PCS - HS Washington, DC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Pcs

What grades does Idea Pcs serve?

Idea Pcs serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Idea Pcs?

Idea Pcs has an enrollment of approximately 309 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Pcs?

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Pcs is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Pcs rank in DC?

Idea Pcs ranks #222 of 240 schools in DC.

What is Idea Pcs's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Pcs has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Idea Pcs?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Pcs has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Idea Pcs a charter school?

Yes, Idea Pcs is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Idea Pcs a Title I school?

No, Idea Pcs is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
71 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
309
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
District of Columbia
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
86.1%
4-Year Graduation
64.5%
% meeting SAT college-ready benchmark (DC OSSE Report Card SY2024-25)
6.4%

District

IDEA PCS
District Enrollment
309
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$36,919
District Rank
#1 of 1

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