Very Good
#80 of 240 schools in DC
Top 33% 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
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
253
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#80 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#47 of 145
In district
#43 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Patterson ES
Patterson ES is an elementary school nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student population of 253, Patterson ES maintains a favorable teacher-to-student ratio of 7.9:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention and support. The school boasts 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds in the bustling city environment.
While Patterson ES ranks at 4.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout's rating system and holds a state ranking of 33rd percentile, it focuses on student development and growth despite lower academic scores in ELA/Reading and Math proficiency levels. The school’s setting within the vibrant city of Washington offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Patterson ES is part of the fabric of a large urban community, providing a diverse educational experience to its students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Patterson ES are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Patterson ES 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Patterson ES — Students at Patterson ES score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores DC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How Patterson ES Compares
See how Patterson ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 7.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 12% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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. Forest Heights Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Oxon Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is LEARN DC PCS (rated 7.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Simon ES (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.5 |
| Ingenuity Prep PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PCS Washington | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Hendley ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| LEARN DC PCS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Simon ES Washington | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Forest Heights Elementary Oxon Hill | 0.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Ballou HS Washington | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| Ballou STAY HS Washington | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| KIPP DC PCS - Legacy College Preparatory PCS Washington | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Hart MS Washington | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Center City PCS - Congress Heights Washington | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Early Childhood Academy PCS Washington | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place ES Washington | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Johenning Washington | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| King ES Washington | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| KIPP DC - Honor Academy PCS Washington | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| KIPP DC - Pride Academy PCS Washington | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| KIPP DC - Inspire Academy PCS Washington | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Patterson ES has a median household income of $48,146. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $391,400, with a median rent of $1,285/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 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 |
|---|---|
| SHERIDAN SCHOOL Washington, DC | 7.0 |
| Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Washington, DC | 6.9 |
| Center City PCS - Shaw Washington, DC | 6.9 |
| Center City PCS - Trinidad Washington, DC | 7.1 |
| Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - East End Washington, DC | 6.9 |
| Smothers ES 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 is ranked #80 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Patterson ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Patterson ES has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Patterson ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Patterson ES has 9.8% math proficiency and 12.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 253
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 939-5280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #43 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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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