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Average

#97 of 240 schools in DC

Top 40% in state

Macfarland MS

Middle School · District of Columbia Public Schools

4400 Iowa Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20011

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#97 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia middle schools

#15 of 43

In district

#52 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Macfarland MS

MacFarland MS is a regular public middle school in Washington, D.C., serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 499 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, the school benefits from relatively small class sizes. MacFarland has 53 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse learning community.

The academic performance at MacFarland MS indicates areas where growth is needed. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, the school ranks as the 107th out of 240 schools in D.C., placing it in the 56th percentile overall. In terms of proficiency rates, only 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and a mere 8% are proficient in Math.

Despite these challenges, MacFarland MS is committed to supporting student development and academic improvement. Located in a bustling urban setting within the District of Columbia, MacFarland MS is part of a vibrant city community that offers many resources and opportunities for students beyond the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, Macfarland MS 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

Macfarland MS — Students at Macfarland MS score 13% proficient, which is below 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 8.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
22%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.6/10.

How Macfarland MS Compares

See how Macfarland MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
60th percentile in DC
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Location

4400 Iowa Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Macfarland MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is E.L. Haynes PCS - HS (rated 7.5/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Columbia Heights Education Campus (rated 7.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Roosevelt HS Washington 0.1 mi 5.6
THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF D.C. Washington 0.1 mi
Dorothy I. Height ES Washington 0.1 mi 5.7
Powell ES Washington 0.2 mi 6.4
E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington 0.3 mi 7.5
E.L. Haynes PCS - ES Washington 0.3 mi 5.7
Center City PCS - Petworth Washington 0.4 mi 5.7
Raymond ES Washington 0.5 mi 6.1
John Lewis ES Washington 0.6 mi 5.7
Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Washington 0.6 mi 7.9
E.L. Haynes PCS - MS Washington 0.7 mi 6.8
Truesdell ES Washington 0.7 mi 4.6
Barnard ES Washington 0.6 mi 6.0
Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View Washington 0.7 mi 6.8
CHRISTIAN FAMILY MONTESSORI Washington 0.8 mi 6.0
Tubman ES Washington 1.0 mi 6.8
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Washington 0.9 mi 4.4
Bancroft ES Washington 0.9 mi 5.7
Columbia Heights Education Campus Washington 1.1 mi 7.4
Creative Minds International PCS Washington 0.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,377

Median Home Value

$722,200

Median Rent

$1,636/mo

Population

66,951

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

53.9%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Macfarland MS has a median household income of $108,377. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $722,200, with a median rent of $1,636/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Capital City PCS - MS Washington, DC 6.8
E.L. Haynes PCS - MS Washington, DC 6.8
Brookland MS Washington, DC 6.5
KIPP DC - Northeast Academy PCS Washington, DC 6.5
Washington Latin PCS - MS Washington, DC 7.1
Eliot-Hine MS Washington, DC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Macfarland MS

What grades does Macfarland MS serve?

Macfarland MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Macfarland MS?

Macfarland MS has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Macfarland MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Macfarland MS is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Macfarland MS rank in DC?

Macfarland MS is ranked #97 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is Macfarland MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Macfarland MS has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Macfarland MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Macfarland MS has 8.0% math proficiency and 23.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Macfarland MS a charter school?

No, Macfarland MS is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Macfarland MS a Title I school?

No, Macfarland MS is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,514/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
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
#52 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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