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Average

#86 of 240 schools in DC

Top 35% in state

Smothers ES

Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools

4400 Brooks St. NE, Washington, DC 20019

Enrollment

232

Student-Teacher

9.7:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#86 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia elementary schools

#51 of 145

In district

#46 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Smothers ES

Smothers ES is a regular public elementary school located in Washington, D.C., offering education from Pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 232 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students’ academic growth.

Smothers ES has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks 34th percentile among schools in D.C., with room for improvement in test scores, where only 12% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and just 2% in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and community engagement. Located in a bustling city setting, Smothers ES is part of a vibrant neighborhood in Washington, D.C., offering opportunities for learning beyond the classroom walls.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Smothers 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 9.7:1, Smothers 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 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.9Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-17.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

Smothers ES — Students at Smothers ES score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores DC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 2.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Smothers ES Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in DC
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Location

4400 Brooks St. NE, Washington, DC 20019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smothers ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Global Citizens PCS (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garfield ES (rated 7.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Plummer ES (rated 7.2/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Kelly Miller MS Washington 0.3 mi 6.0
Plummer ES Washington 0.5 mi 7.2
DC Prep PCS - Benning ES Washington 0.4 mi 3.2
DC Prep PCS - Benning MS Washington 0.4 mi 4.5
Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington 0.5 mi 6.3
Global Citizens PCS Washington 0.5 mi 7.7
The SEED PCS of Washington DC Washington 0.6 mi 6.2
THE MONROE SCHOOL Washington 0.6 mi
Nalle ES Washington 0.7 mi 5.5
IDEA PCS Washington 0.8 mi 4.7
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS Washington 0.8 mi 5.1
KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS Washington 0.8 mi 5.4
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS Washington 0.8 mi 3.8
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Washington 0.8 mi 7.7
KIPP DC - Valor Academy PCS Washington 0.7 mi 7.4
KIPP DC - Quest Academy PCS Washington 0.7 mi 3.6
KIPP DC - Arts and Technology Academy PCS Washington 0.7 mi 4.7
CORNERSTONE SCHOOLS-WASHINGTON Washington 0.9 mi 5.9
Ron Brown College Preparatory HS Washington 1.0 mi 5.2
Garfield ES Washington 1.0 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20019 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,031

Median Home Value

$437,600

Median Rent

$1,174/mo

Population

64,365

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

40.7%

Avg Commute

35.7 min

Poverty Rate

24.9%

Median Age

33.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smothers ES has a median household income of $57,031. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $437,600, with a median rent of $1,174/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.9%, 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
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Washington, DC 6.9
Center City PCS - Shaw Washington, DC 6.9
Patterson ES Washington, DC 7.0
SHERIDAN SCHOOL Washington, DC 7.0
C.W. Harris ES Washington, DC 6.8
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary Washington, DC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smothers ES

What grades does Smothers ES serve?

Smothers ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Smothers ES?

Smothers ES has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smothers ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Smothers ES is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smothers ES rank in DC?

Smothers ES is ranked #86 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is Smothers ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Smothers ES has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Smothers ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smothers ES has 2.5% math proficiency and 12.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smothers ES a charter school?

No, Smothers ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Smothers ES a Title I school?

No, Smothers ES is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
232
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
District of Columbia
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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