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Below Average

#220 of 240 schools in DC

Sousa MS

Middle School · District of Columbia Public Schools

3650 Ely Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20019

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#220 of 240

In Washington

#220 of 240

public schools

In district

#109 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

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Sousa MS

4.2/10

Middle School in Washington · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kimball ES

5.8/10

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

Cornerstone Schools-washington

5.8/10

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

About Sousa MS

Sousa MS is a public middle school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Sousa MS serves approximately 229 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sousa MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #220 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Sousa MS show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • DC avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 7.9:1 students to teachers, Sousa MS sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

53% of students at Sousa MS were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-2.68 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.9% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.4% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg-22.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (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-17.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment5.6Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,629
Chronic Absenteeism52.8%

Sousa MS — Students at Sousa MS score 14% proficient, which is below 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 18.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
29.1% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 20.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.2% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))

Based on 32 test records from DC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
46%
ELA
41%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
39%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2014
Math
4%
ELA
7%
2015
Math
4%
ELA
8%
2016
Math
2%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
9%
2018
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
4%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
11%
2025
Math
10.9%
ELA
16.4%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Sousa MS Compares

See how Sousa MS performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in DC
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.8%

Location

3650 Ely Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20019

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sousa MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. DC Prep PCS - Benning MS (rated 5.9/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS (rated 4.4/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Kimball ES Washington 0.2 mi 5.8
CORNERSTONE SCHOOLS-WASHINGTON Washington 0.3 mi 5.8
The SEED PCS of Washington DC Washington 0.4 mi 4.3
DC Prep PCS - Benning ES Washington 0.7 mi 5.9
DC Prep PCS - Benning MS Washington 0.7 mi 5.9
River Terrace Education Campus Washington 0.8 mi 4.1
Plummer ES Washington 0.8 mi 4.9
Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington 1.0 mi 5.5
Global Citizens PCS Washington 1.0 mi 7.7
Garfield ES Washington 0.9 mi 6.9
Thomas ES Washington 1.2 mi 4.9
Randle Highlands ES Washington 1.1 mi 5.8
Smothers ES Washington 1.0 mi 4.6
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Washington 1.2 mi 6.0
ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC ACADEMYOOL Washington 1.1 mi 4.9
Rocketship PCS - Legacy Prep Washington 1.2 mi 2.3
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 4.4
KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 5.2
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 5.2
Beers ES Washington 1.3 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Two Rivers PCS - Young MS Washington, DC 4.3
Kelly Miller MS Washington, DC 3.9
Kramer MS Washington, DC 3.6
Johnson MS Washington, DC 5.2
Howard University MS of Mathematics and Science PCS Washington, DC 5.3
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle Washington, DC 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sousa MS

What grades does Sousa MS serve?

Sousa MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sousa MS?

Sousa MS has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sousa MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Sousa MS is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sousa MS rank in DC?

Sousa MS ranks #220 of 240 schools in DC.

What is Sousa MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Sousa MS has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Sousa MS?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sousa MS has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Sousa MS a charter school?

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

Is Sousa MS a Title I school?

No, Sousa MS is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
48 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
District of Columbia
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.8%

District

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

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