DC Public Schools operates 116 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | DC Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 49,000 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 116 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $28,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ↑ 104% above avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 4/10 — Below Average | — | Below average |
About DC Public Schools
Families in zip code 20002 (Washington, Washington D.C.) are assigned to DC Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at DC Public Schools runs approximately $28,000 annually, placing it 27% above the Washington D.C. state average of approximately $22,000 and well above the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Districts at this funding level typically offer smaller class sizes, broader elective and extracurricular programs, stronger technology infrastructure, and more competitive teacher salaries. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
DC Public Schools is a major metropolitan district with 116 schools serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 49,000 students in total. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 4/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates DC Public Schools 4 out of 10 — below average among Washington D.C. public school districts. Our ratings are built from NCES Common Core of Data and measure structural factors: per-pupil expenditure, student-teacher ratio, enrollment stability, and school count. They do not incorporate test scores or graduation rates, which are not consistently available across all 13,500+ US districts in the NCES dataset.
DC Public Schools carries a below-average rating, indicating resource levels and structural indicators below typical Washington D.C. benchmarks. Below-average ratings primarily reflect per-pupil spending, staffing ratios, and enrollment trends — not necessarily teaching quality or school culture. Some below-average districts have schools with strong communities and dedicated staff. Families should research specific school quality, visit in person, and ask about available programs. Also ask about open enrollment and magnet options that may offer alternatives to the default attendance-zone assignment.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 20002
Children in zip code 20002 are assigned to DC Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 20002, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact DC Public Schools at (202)671-6030 or visit www.dcps.dc.gov. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Washington D.C. districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Washington
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because DC Public Schools serves zip code 20002, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 20002. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Washington D.C., property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support DC Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 20002.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with DC Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20002 data.