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#178 of 240 schools in DC

Whittier ES

Elementary School · District of Columbia Public Schools

6201 5th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011

Enrollment

413

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Washington

#178 of 239

public schools

District of Columbia elementary schools

#101 of 145

In district

#94 of 116

District of Columbia Public Schools

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Whittier ES

Whittier ES is an elementary school located in Washington, D.C., offering education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 413 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Whittier provides personalized attention to each child. The school has 42 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can thrive.

Academically, Whittier ES ranks 65th percentile among the district's schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 7.1 out of 10. While proficiency in ELA/Reading and Math stands at around 32% respectively, the school is focused on continuous improvement to support its students' development. Whittier ES is situated in a bustling city setting within Washington, D.C., offering children access to diverse cultural experiences and resources right outside their classroom doors.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Whittier ES offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-6.67 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.6Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-3.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$27,425

Whittier ES — Students at Whittier ES score 22% proficient, which is below 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 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
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
42%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.

How Whittier ES Compares

See how Whittier ES performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in DC
Academic
7.6/10
7.6/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Location

6201 5th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittier ES may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Roots PCS (rated 9.4/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Takoma ES (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Capital City PCS - Lower School (rated 6.3/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 0.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ida B. Wells MS Washington 0.1 mi 7.4
Coolidge HS Washington 0.1 mi 5.1
Capital City PCS - Lower School Washington 0.4 mi 6.3
Capital City PCS - MS Washington 0.4 mi 6.8
Capital City PCS - HS Washington 0.4 mi 8.0
Paul PCS - MS Washington 0.5 mi 8.9
Paul PCS - International HS Washington 0.5 mi 5.8
Breakthrough Montessori PCS Washington 0.6 mi 6.2
Friendship PCS - Ideal Middle Washington 0.5 mi 4.4
Friendship PCS - Ideal Elementary Washington 0.5 mi 5.5
Center City PCS - Brightwood Washington 0.5 mi 6.0
Takoma ES Washington 0.7 mi 7.7
Sela PCS Washington 0.6 mi 4.8
Brightwood ES Washington 0.7 mi 4.7
Roots PCS Washington 0.8 mi 9.4
Washington Latin PCS - MS Washington 0.9 mi 7.1
Washington Latin PCS - Upper School Washington 0.9 mi 6.9
Truesdell ES Washington 0.9 mi 4.6
Friendship PCS - Online Academy Washington 0.8 mi 3.2
Military Road Early Learning Center Washington 0.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20011 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,377

Median Home Value

$722,200

Median Rent

$1,636/mo

Population

66,951

College Educated

54.7%

Homeownership

53.9%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

37.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whittier ES has a median household income of $108,377. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $722,200, with a median rent of $1,636/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Van Ness ES Washington, DC 5.3
Maury ES Washington, DC 5.4
Leckie Education Campus Washington, DC 5.5
Nalle ES Washington, DC 5.5
Wheatley Education Campus Washington, DC 5.1
Ketcham ES Washington, DC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittier ES

What grades does Whittier ES serve?

Whittier ES serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Whittier ES?

Whittier ES has an enrollment of approximately 413 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittier ES?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittier ES is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittier ES rank in DC?

Whittier ES is ranked #178 out of 240 schools in DC.

What is Whittier ES's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittier 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 Whittier ES?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittier ES has 32.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whittier ES a charter school?

No, Whittier ES is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whittier ES a Title I school?

No, Whittier ES 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
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
413
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
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
#94 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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