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Average

#97 of 240 schools in DC

Top 40% in state

Patterson ES

Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools

4399 South Capitol Terr. SW, Washington, DC 20032

Enrollment

253

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#97 of 240

In Washington

#97 of 240

public schools

In district

#56 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic growth

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Patterson ES

6.7/10

Elementary School in Washington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Leckie Education Campus

5.0/10

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

Ingenuity Prep Pcs

4.8/10

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

About Patterson ES

Patterson ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Patterson ES serves approximately 253 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Patterson ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #97 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Patterson ES show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • DC avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

At 7.9:1 students to teachers, Patterson ES sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

62% of students at Patterson ES 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.6% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency26.2% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (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-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,629
Chronic Absenteeism61.7%

Patterson ES — Students at Patterson ES score 22% proficient, which is below 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 15.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.3% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 18.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))

Based on 31 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
24%
ELA
37%
2010
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2013
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
2.5%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
21.4%
ELA
25.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.8/10.

How Patterson ES Compares

See how Patterson ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in DC
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
61.7%

Location

4399 South Capitol Terr. SW, Washington, DC 20032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Patterson ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Center City PCS - Congress Heights (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEARN DC PCS (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KIPP DC - Inspire Academy PCS (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Leckie Education Campus Washington 0.3 mi 5.0
Ingenuity Prep PCS Washington 0.3 mi 4.8
Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PCS Washington 0.3 mi 7.2
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC Washington 0.5 mi 6.2
Hendley ES Washington 0.5 mi 5.5
LEARN DC PCS Washington 0.7 mi 8.6
Simon ES Washington 0.8 mi 4.5
Forest Heights Elementary Oxon Hill 0.8 mi 5.2
Ballou HS Washington 0.9 mi 5.8
Ballou STAY HS Washington 0.9 mi 4.1
KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS Washington 0.8 mi 6.0
Hart MS Washington 0.9 mi 5.7
Center City PCS - Congress Heights Washington 1.0 mi 8.7
Early Childhood Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 7.0
Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place ES Washington 1.0 mi 6.6
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Johenning Washington 1.0 mi 6.0
King ES Washington 1.2 mi 4.2
KIPP DC - Honor Academy PCS Washington 1.3 mi 5.2
KIPP DC - Pride Academy PCS Washington 1.3 mi 6.2
KIPP DC - Inspire Academy PCS Washington 1.3 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,146

Median Home Value

$391,400

Median Rent

$1,285/mo

Population

38,828

College Educated

23.3%

Homeownership

22.4%

Avg Commute

36.3 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Harmony DC PCS - School of Excellence Washington, DC 6.7
C.W. Harris ES Washington, DC 6.8
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary Washington, DC 6.8
Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place ES Washington, DC 6.6
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington, DC 6.6
Excel Academy Washington, DC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Patterson ES

What grades does Patterson ES serve?

Patterson ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Patterson ES?

Patterson ES has an enrollment of approximately 253 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Patterson ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Patterson ES is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Patterson ES rank in DC?

Patterson ES ranks #97 of 240 schools in DC.

What is Patterson ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Patterson ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Patterson ES?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Patterson ES has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 19% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Patterson ES a charter school?

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

Is Patterson ES a Title I school?

No, Patterson ES is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
71 Very Walkable
Transit Score
55 Good Transit
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
District of Columbia
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
61.7%

District

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

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