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Very Good

#63 of 240 schools in DC

Top 26% 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

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#63 of 240

In Washington

#63 of 240

public schools

In district

#40 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

School environment

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Powell ES

7.5/10

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

Dorothy I. Height ES

8.7/10

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

Roosevelt HS

4.6/10

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

About Powell ES

Powell ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Powell ES serves approximately 497 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Powell ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #63 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Powell ES show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • DC avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.9% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (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+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment9.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,629
Chronic Absenteeism13.9%

Powell ES — Students at Powell ES score 40% proficient, which is above 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 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.2% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 35.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.4% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))

Based on 32 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
32%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
69.5%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
30%
ELA
18%
2018
Math
36%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
36%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
34.3%
ELA
44.6%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Powell ES Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
74th percentile in DC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
6.2/10
Average
Environment
9.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

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. Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View (rated 9.1/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dorothy I. Height ES (rated 8.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bancroft ES (rated 8.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably 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 8.7
Roosevelt HS Washington 0.2 mi 4.6
MacFarland MS Washington 0.2 mi 7.8
THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL OF D.C. Washington 0.3 mi
Raymond ES Washington 0.5 mi 6.7
John Lewis ES Washington 0.7 mi 7.6
Latin American Montessori Bilingual PCS Washington 0.7 mi 6.6
E.L. Haynes PCS - HS Washington 0.6 mi 6.3
E.L. Haynes PCS - ES Washington 0.6 mi 7.1
E.L. Haynes PCS - MS Washington 0.6 mi 4.9
Center City PCS - Petworth Washington 0.6 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi 4.2
Bancroft ES Washington 0.7 mi 8.6
Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View Washington 0.7 mi 9.1
Tubman ES Washington 0.9 mi 5.7
Columbia Heights Education Campus Washington 0.9 mi 6.4
Truesdell ES Washington 0.9 mi 5.9
Barnard ES Washington 0.9 mi 6.9
MYSA SCHOOL Washington 1.1 mi
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Columbia Heights Washington 1.1 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Seaton ES Washington, DC 7.5
John Lewis ES Washington, DC 7.6
Hyde-Addison ES Washington, DC 7.7
KIPP DC - Discover Academy PCS Washington, DC 7.3
Mann ES Washington, DC 7.8
Rocketship PCS - Infinity Community Prep Washington, DC 7.2

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 ranks #63 of 240 schools in DC.

What is Powell ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Powell ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Powell ES?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Powell ES has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Transit Score
72 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
84 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.9%

District

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

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