Skip to main content

Average

#109 of 240 schools in DC

Top 45% in state

Sousa MS

Middle School · District of Columbia Public Schools

3650 Ely Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20019

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

7.9:1

Score

6.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#109 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia middle schools

#19 of 43

In district

#59 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Sousa MS

Sousa MS is a middle school located in Washington, D.C., serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 229 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, the school offers individualized attention within its diverse urban setting. Sousa MS has 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students' educational needs.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.5 out of 10, placing it at #158 among 240 middle schools in the District of Columbia, which falls within the 35th percentile. Academically, Sousa MS has an academic score of 2.4 out of 10, with only 13% proficiency or above in ELA and reading, and just 4% proficiency or above in math across all grade levels. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is focused on enhancing its curriculum and supporting students to achieve their full potential.

Sousa MS is situated in a vibrant part of Washington, D.C., where it contributes to the community's educational landscape.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sousa MS 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 7.9:1, Sousa MS 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 Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.2Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency11%
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-17.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

Sousa MS — Students at Sousa MS score 8% 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 4.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 13.0%
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
4%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
4%
ELA
11%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.7/10.

How Sousa MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in DC
Academic
3.2/10
3.2/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

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. KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS (rated 5.1/10, 1.0 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, DC Prep PCS - Benning MS (rated 4.5/10, 0.7 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 5.9
The SEED PCS of Washington DC Washington 0.4 mi 6.2
DC Prep PCS - Benning ES Washington 0.7 mi 3.2
DC Prep PCS - Benning MS Washington 0.7 mi 4.5
River Terrace Education Campus Washington 0.8 mi 5.2
Plummer ES Washington 0.8 mi 7.2
Friendship PCS - Collegiate Academy Washington 1.0 mi 6.3
Global Citizens PCS Washington 1.0 mi 7.7
Garfield ES Washington 0.9 mi 7.4
Thomas ES Washington 1.2 mi 7.7
Randle Highlands ES Washington 1.1 mi 5.0
Smothers ES Washington 1.0 mi 6.9
Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy Washington 1.2 mi 7.7
ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC ACADEMYOOL Washington 1.1 mi 5.0
Rocketship PCS - Legacy Prep Washington 1.2 mi 2.8
KIPP DC - KEY Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 5.1
KIPP DC - LEAP Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 5.4
KIPP DC - Promise Academy PCS Washington 1.0 mi 3.8
Beers ES Washington 1.3 mi 7.8

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 Sousa MS 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
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Johenning Washington, DC 6.1
Kelly Miller MS Washington, DC 6.0
Howard University MS of Mathematics and Science PCS Washington, DC 7.1
McKinley MS Washington, DC 7.1
Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys PCS Washington, DC 5.8
Two Rivers PCS - Young MS Washington, DC 7.2

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 is ranked #109 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is Sousa MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Sousa MS has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Sousa MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sousa MS has 4.0% math proficiency and 13.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (4,514/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.

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
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
#59 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

Get 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.