Excellent
#4 of 46 private schools in DC
Top 7% of private schools
Lowell School
Elementary School
1640 KALMIA RD NW, Washington, DC 20012
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 217 schools in Washington. Learn more
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
279
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Washington
#4 of 45
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#1 of 22
About Lowell School
Lowell School is a regular public school located in Washington, D.C., offering education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 279 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1, the school benefits from small class sizes that facilitate personalized attention. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 47 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring ample support for each child's learning needs.
While academic performance data is limited, Lowell School aims to nurture its students' growth and development through a supportive educational environment. Despite not having specific test score results available, the school remains committed to providing a strong foundation in academics and fostering a love of learning. Lowell School is situated in the heart of a large city, offering students access to a vibrant urban setting with diverse cultural experiences and resources.
This location provides ample opportunities for enriching extracurricular activities and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1, Lowell School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Lowell School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $67,022
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $64,006
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.95x — Tight
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 92%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $41.3M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 279 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Lowell School compares to 207 public schools serving similar grades in Washington, DC
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lowell School (this school) | 8.4 |
| Shepherd ES | 8.6 |
| District of Columbia International School | 6.9 |
| Takoma ES | 7.7 |
| Breakthrough Montessori PCS | 6.2 |
| Center City PCS - Brightwood | 6.0 |
| Military Road Early Learning Center | 6.8 |
| Ida B. Wells MS | 7.4 |
| Whittier ES | 5.3 |
| Friendship PCS - Online Academy | 3.2 |
| Brightwood ES | 4.7 |
| Paul PCS - MS | 8.9 |
| Lafayette ES | 7.3 |
| Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary | 5.5 |
| Friendship PCS - Ideal Middle | 4.4 |
| Capital City PCS - MS | 6.8 |
| Capital City PCS - Lower School | 6.3 |
| Sela PCS | 4.8 |
| Truesdell ES | 4.6 |
| John Lewis ES | 5.7 |
| Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS | 7.9 |
Showing 20 of 207 schools. View all schools in Washington
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in DC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in DC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1640 KALMIA RD NW, Washington, DC 20012
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lowell School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Shepherd ES (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is East Silver Spring Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Silver Spring), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Takoma ES (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,234
Median Home Value
$838,200
Median Rent
$1,638/mo
Population
17,662
College Educated
59.2%
Homeownership
62.8%
Avg Commute
37.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lowell School has a median household income of $128,234. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $838,200, with a median rent of $1,638/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 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 |
|---|---|
| Payne ES Washington, DC | 8.4 |
| Cleveland ES Washington, DC | 8.3 |
| Burroughs ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Shepherd ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Two Rivers PCS - Young ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Key ES Washington, DC | 8.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lowell School
What grades does Lowell School serve?
Lowell School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Lowell School?
Lowell School has an enrollment of approximately 279 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lowell School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lowell School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Lowell School rank in DC?
Lowell School is ranked #4 out of 46 private schools in DC.
What is Lowell School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lowell School has a composite rating of 8.4 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.
Is Lowell School a private school?
Yes, Lowell School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Lowell School a religious school?
No, Lowell School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 39 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 70 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 28 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,514/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 279
- Gender Split
- 50% M / 50% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.4 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
- Phone
- (202) 577-2083
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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