Average
#179 of 240 schools in DC
Van Ness ES
Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools
1150 5th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Washington
#179 of 239
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#102 of 145
In district
#95 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
Academic performance
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Van Ness ES
Van Ness ES is an elementary school located in the heart of Washington, D.C., offering a nurturing environment for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 392 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, the school ensures personalized attention to each child's needs. The dedicated faculty consists of 31 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support academic growth.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, Van Ness ES has an overall score of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks at #88 among 240 schools in the District of Columbia (placing it in the 64th percentile). The school’s academic performance shows that 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, while 26% meet proficiency standards in math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on further development and improvement.
Located in a bustling city center, Van Ness ES benefits from a vibrant urban setting with access to various cultural and educational resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Van Ness ES — Students at Van Ness ES score 27% proficient, which is above 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: 3.5/10.
How Van Ness ES Compares
See how Van Ness ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1150 5th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Van Ness ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Payne ES (rated 8.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brent ES (rated 7.7/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CAPITOL HILL DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAPITOL LEARNING ACADEMY Washington | 0.3 mi | — |
| CAPITOL HILL DAY SCHOOL Washington | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Tyler ES Washington | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Brent ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Capitol Hill Washington | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Watkins ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.7 |
| DISTRICT MONTESSORI Washington | 0.8 mi | — |
| WATERFRONT ACADEMY Washington | 0.7 mi | — |
| Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle Washington | 0.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Cedar Tree Academy PCS Washington | 0.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Savoy ES Washington | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Eagle Academy PCS - Capitol Riverfront Washington | 0.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS Washington | 1.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) Washington | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Payne ES Washington | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park Washington | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Excel Academy Washington | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Anacostia HS Washington | 1.0 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$159,604
Median Home Value
$954,200
Median Rent
$2,630/mo
Population
36,194
College Educated
80.8%
Homeownership
38.5%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.6%
Median Age
34.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Van Ness ES has a median household income of $159,604. It is a well-educated community where 81% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $954,200, with a median rent of $2,630/month. The local poverty rate of 8.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Whittier ES Washington, DC | 5.3 |
| KIPP DC - Grow Academy PCS Washington, DC | 5.5 |
| Leckie Education Campus Washington, DC | 5.5 |
| Nalle ES Washington, DC | 5.5 |
| Wheatley Education Campus Washington, DC | 5.1 |
| Center City PCS - Congress Heights Washington, DC | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Van Ness ES
What grades does Van Ness ES serve?
Van Ness ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Van Ness ES?
Van Ness ES has an enrollment of approximately 392 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Van Ness ES?
The student-teacher ratio at Van Ness ES is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Van Ness ES rank in DC?
Van Ness ES is ranked #179 out of 240 schools in DC.
What is Van Ness ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Ness ES has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Van Ness ES?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Van Ness ES has 25.8% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Van Ness ES a charter school?
No, Van Ness ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Van Ness ES a Title I school?
No, Van Ness 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
- 392
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- District of Columbia
- Phone
- (202) 727-4314
- 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
- #95 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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