Below Average
#204 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
392
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
District of Columbia schools
#204 of 240
In Washington
#204 of 240
public schools
In district
#103 of 116
District of Columbia Public Schools
School environment
7.2 / 10
Very Good
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Van Ness ES
Elementary School in Washington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Capitol Learning Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Capitol Hill Day School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Van Ness ES
Van Ness ES is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Van Ness ES serves approximately 392 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Van Ness ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #204 of 240 schools in DC.
Structured state assessment records for Van Ness ES show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 6.8
- DC avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Van Ness ES 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Van Ness ES — Students at Van Ness ES score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Test Scores DC OSSE DC CAPE school-level (% Meeting or Exceeding) (2024-25)
Based on 14 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: 2.5/10.
How Van Ness ES Compares
See how Van Ness ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Brent ES (rated 9.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Payne ES (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tyler ES (rated 8.3/10, 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 | 7.3 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Tyler ES Washington | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Brent ES Washington | 0.5 mi | 9.4 |
| Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Capitol Hill Washington | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle Washington | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Cedar Tree Academy PCS Washington | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Savoy ES Washington | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Eagle Academy PCS - Capitol Riverfront Washington | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Thurgood Marshall Academy PCS Washington | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Payne ES Washington | 1.0 mi | 8.7 |
| AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park Washington | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Excel Academy Washington | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Anacostia HS Washington | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ketcham ES Washington, DC | 4.6 |
| Cleveland ES Washington, DC | 4.5 |
| Miner ES Washington, DC | 4.5 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Washington, DC | 4.7 |
| Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington, DC | 4.7 |
| Houston ES Washington, DC | 4.8 |
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 ranks #204 of 240 schools in DC.
What is Van Ness ES's MySchoolScout rating?
Van Ness ES has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Van Ness ES?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Van Ness ES has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2018-2025).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.1%
- Phone
- (202) 727-4314
Resources & Links
District
District of Columbia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 51,294
- Schools in District
- 117
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,629
- District Rank
- #103 of 116
Other Schools in This District
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