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
Enrollment
397
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
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: 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.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 36% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (202) 698-3355
- 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
- #55 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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