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Average

#95 of 240 schools in DC

Top 39% 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

District of Columbia schools

#95 of 240

In Washington

#95 of 240

public schools

In district

#54 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)

6.7/10

Elementary School in Washington · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Digital Pioneers Academy Pcs - Capitol Hill

6.0/10

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

Tyler ES

8.3/10

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

About Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster)

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) is a public elementary school in Washington, DC, part of District of Columbia Public Schools. Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) serves approximately 397 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #95 of 240 schools in DC.

Structured state assessment records for Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • DC avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.4% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.3% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
Math vs. State Avg+9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (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+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$31,629
Chronic Absenteeism18.4%

Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) — Students at Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) score 40% proficient, which is above 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 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.2% (2025 DC OSSE DC CAPE SCHOOL-LEVEL (% MEETING OR EXCEEDING))
ELA Proficiency 46.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.4% (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
59%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
65%
ELA
59%
2012
Math
61%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
35%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
38%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
48%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
38%
ELA
36%
2025
Math
41.7%
ELA
37.5%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.

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
61th percentile in DC
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.4%

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. School-Within-School at Goding (rated 9.6/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maury ES (rated 9.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brent ES (rated 9.4/10, 0.6 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
Digital Pioneers Academy PCS - Capitol Hill Washington 0.2 mi 6.0
Tyler ES Washington 0.2 mi 8.3
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Elementary Washington 0.3 mi 8.1
Friendship PCS - Chamberlain Middle Washington 0.3 mi 5.5
Payne ES Washington 0.3 mi 8.7
CAPITOL LEARNING ACADEMY Washington 0.4 mi
AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Lincoln Park Washington 0.6 mi 5.9
Center City PCS - Capitol Hill Washington 0.5 mi 4.5
Maury ES Washington 0.6 mi 9.4
Van Ness ES Washington 0.7 mi 4.6
ST PETER SCHOOL Washington 0.6 mi 6.2
Brent ES Washington 0.6 mi 9.4
Eastern HS Washington 0.7 mi 5.9
Kingsman Academy PCS Washington 0.9 mi 5.1
DISTRICT MONTESSORI Washington 0.7 mi
CAPITOL HILL DAY SCHOOL Washington 0.7 mi 7.3
Peabody ES (Capitol Hill Cluster) Washington 0.8 mi 7.7
St. Coletta Special Education PCS Washington 0.8 mi 3.6
Eliot-Hine MS Washington 0.9 mi 6.7
School-Within-School at Goding Washington 1.0 mi 9.6

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
Patterson ES Washington, DC 6.7
Raymond ES Washington, DC 6.7
C.W. Harris ES Washington, DC 6.8
Friendship PCS - Blow Pierce Elementary Washington, DC 6.8
MILTON GOTTESMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL OF THE NATION'S Washington, DC 6.8
Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS - Wahler Place ES 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) ranks #95 of 240 schools in DC.

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

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

Based on loaded state assessment records, Watkins ES (capitol Hill Cluster) has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
95 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
82 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.4%

District

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

How we rate schools

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