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Average

#102 of 240 schools in DC

Top 42% in state

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)

Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools

420 12th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Enrollment

397

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

1st – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#102 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia elementary schools

#60 of 145

In district

#55 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)

Watkins ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) serves 397 students in grades 1-5 in Washington, D.C.'s vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood. This regular public elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #50 out of 240 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile.

While current assessment results show 36% of students achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 38% in Math, the school's strong academic score of 8.6 suggests positive momentum and effective teaching practices that support student growth. Watkins ES is situated in one of Washington's most educated communities, where 80% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $155,054. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 8.2% reflects its stability, while the median home value of $925,800 indicates families' significant investment in the area.

The school operates in the heart of a dynamic urban environment that combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering students access to the rich cultural and educational resources that define Capitol Hill's unique character within the nation's capital.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) — Students at Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) score 37% proficient, which is above 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 41.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
36%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.2/10.

How Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) Compares

See how Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in DC
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Location

420 12th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Payne ES (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brent ES (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CAPITOL HILL DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Capitol Hill Washington 0.2 mi 5.6
Tyler ES Washington 0.2 mi 7.2
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary Washington 0.3 mi 5.8
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle Washington 0.3 mi 4.9
Payne ES Washington 0.3 mi 8.4
CAPITOL LEARNING ACADEMY Washington 0.4 mi
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park Washington 0.6 mi 5.8
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Washington 0.5 mi 6.9
Maury ES Washington 0.6 mi 5.4
Van Ness ES Washington 0.7 mi 5.3
ST PETER SCHOOL Washington 0.6 mi 6.3
Brent ES Washington 0.6 mi 7.7
Eastern HS Washington 0.7 mi 7.3
Kingsman Academy PCS Washington 0.9 mi 6.1
DISTRICT MONTESSORI Washington 0.7 mi
CAPITOL HILL DAY SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi 7.4
Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) Washington 0.8 mi 5.9
St. Coletta Special Education PCS Washington 0.8 mi 6.9
Eliot-Hine MS Washington 0.9 mi 7.3
School-Within-School at Goding Washington 1.0 mi 6.0

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 Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) 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
HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington, DC 6.7
Bruce-Monroe ES at Park View Washington, DC 6.8
C.W. Harris ES Washington, DC 6.8
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary Washington, DC 6.8
J.O. Wilson ES Washington, DC 6.8
Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy PCS Washington, DC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)

What grades does Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) serve?

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) serves students in grades 1st through 5th.

How many students attend Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)?

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) has an enrollment of approximately 397 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)?

The student-teacher ratio at Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) rank in DC?

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) is ranked #102 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)'s MySchoolScout rating?

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) has 41.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) a charter school?

No, Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) a Title I school?

No, Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) 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
1st – 5th
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
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
#55 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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