Excellent
#16 of 240 schools in DC
Top 6% in state
Payne ES
Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools
1445 C St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
District of Columbia schools
#16 of 240
In Washington
#16 of 240
public schools
In district
#12 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Payne ES
Elementary School in Washington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Center City Pcs - Capitol Hill
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Payne ES
Payne ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Payne ES serves approximately 376 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Payne ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #16 of 240 schools in DC.
Structured state assessment records for Payne ES show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 6.8
- DC avg 6.5
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Payne ES — Students at Payne ES score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Test Scores DC OSSE DC CAPE school-level (% Meeting or Exceeding) (2024-25)
Based on 32 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: 9.2/10.
How Payne ES Compares
See how Payne ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1445 C St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Payne ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. School-Within-School at Goding (rated 9.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Maury ES (rated 9.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tyler ES (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$159,604
Median Home Value
$954,200
Median Rent
$2,630/mo
Population
36,194
College Educated
80.8%
Homeownership
38.5%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
34.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Center City PCS - Congress Heights Washington, DC | 8.7 |
| Dorothy I. Height ES Washington, DC | 8.7 |
| Shepherd ES Washington, DC | 8.7 |
| Burroughs ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| LEARN DC PCS Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS Washington, DC | 8.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Payne ES
What grades does Payne ES serve?
Payne ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Payne ES?
Payne ES has an enrollment of approximately 376 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Payne ES?
The student-teacher ratio at Payne ES is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Payne ES rank in DC?
Payne ES ranks #16 of 240 schools in DC.
What is Payne ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Payne ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 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 Payne ES?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Payne ES has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 34% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Payne ES a charter school?
No, Payne ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Payne ES a Title I school?
No, Payne ES is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 376
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.7%
- Phone
- (202) 698-3262
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #12 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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