Average
#114 of 240 schools in DC
Top 47% in state
Powell ES
Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools
1350 Upshur St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
497
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#114 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#66 of 145
In district
#62 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Powell ES
Powell ES is a regular public elementary school located in the heart of Washington, D.C., offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 497 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, Powell ES ensures that each child receives individual attention and support. The school has 45 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
Academically, Powell ES ranks at the 62nd percentile among schools in D.C., with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 7.1 out of 10. Test scores indicate that 28% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 26% meet proficiency standards in math. While these numbers suggest there is room for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Located in a bustling city setting, Powell ES benefits from the vibrant cultural and educational resources that Washington, D.C., offers. The school's community reflects the diverse and dynamic character of its urban surroundings.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Powell ES — Students at Powell ES score 22% 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
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.2/10.
How Powell ES Compares
See how Powell ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
1350 Upshur St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Powell ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tubman ES (rated 6.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Dorothy I. Height ES Washington | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Roosevelt HS Washington | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| MacFarland MS Washington | 0.2 mi | 6.8 |
| THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF D.C. Washington | 0.3 mi | — |
| Raymond ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| John Lewis ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Washington | 0.7 mi | 7.9 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - ES Washington | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| E.L. Haynes PCS - MS Washington | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Center City PCS - Petworth Washington | 0.6 mi | 5.7 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Washington | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Bancroft ES Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Tubman ES Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Columbia Heights Education Campus Washington | 0.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Truesdell ES Washington | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Barnard ES Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| MYSA SCHOOL Washington | 1.1 mi | — |
| AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Columbia Heights Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
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 Powell ES 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 |
|---|---|
| ST PATRICKS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington, DC | 6.4 |
| Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS - Brookland Washington, DC | 6.5 |
| Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington, DC | 6.3 |
| Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS Washington, DC | 6.6 |
| Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington, DC | 6.2 |
| Miner ES Washington, DC | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Powell ES
What grades does Powell ES serve?
Powell ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Powell ES?
Powell ES has an enrollment of approximately 497 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Powell ES?
The student-teacher ratio at Powell ES is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Powell ES rank in DC?
Powell ES is ranked #114 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Powell ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Powell ES has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Powell ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powell ES has 26.5% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Powell ES a charter school?
No, Powell ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Powell ES a Title I school?
No, Powell 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
- 497
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 671-6270
- 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
- #62 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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