Excellent
#15 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
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
376
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#15 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#13 of 145
In district
#9 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Payne ES
Payne ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of the District of Columbia Public Schools. The school serves approximately 376 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 94.2th percentile among DC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 30% proficiency in math and 40% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $159,604, where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Payne ES — Students at Payne ES score 37% proficient, which is above 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
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.7/10.
How Payne ES Compares
See how Payne ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 47% (2022).
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. Tyler ES (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is Center City PCS - Capitol Hill (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Payne ES has a median household income of $159,604. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $954,200, with a median rent of $2,630/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| LOWELL SCHOOL Washington, DC | 8.4 |
| Cleveland ES Washington, DC | 8.3 |
| Burroughs ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Ludlow-Taylor ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Shepherd ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
| Two Rivers PCS - Young ES Washington, DC | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #15 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Payne ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Payne ES 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.
What are the test scores at Payne ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Payne ES has 29.5% math proficiency and 39.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- Walk Score
- 86 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 79 Excellent Transit
- Bike Score
- 92 Biker’s Paradise
- City Safety
- High (4,514/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (202) 698-3262
- 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
- #9 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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.