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 | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | Not rated | — | Near average |
About DC Public Schools
Zip code 20037 in Washington, Washington D.C. is served by DC Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades Pre-K – 12th. This page provides a data-driven overview of DC Public Schools’s funding levels, size, rating, and what families should know before enrolling or making a housing decision in this area.
Funding and Resources
Public school districts in District of Columbia spend approximately $28,000 per student per year on average (state-level estimate; district-level figures vary), well above the national average (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
With 116 schools, DC Public Schools operates as a major metropolitan district 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.
Why This District Is Not Yet Rated
DC Public Schools does not currently have a SchoolDistrictFinder rating. Our ratings are based on state assessment proficiency data (reading and math) published in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2017–18 school year), and this district does not yet have sufficient reported proficiency data to calculate a reliable score. This is common for very small districts, special-purpose or charter agencies, and newly reorganized districts.
An unrated status is not a negative signal — it simply means we don’t have enough assessment data to place DC Public Schools on the 1–10 scale yet. Families researching this area should contact the district directly for school performance information, request the most recent state report card, and visit schools in person before making a housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20037 data.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 20037
Children in zip code 20037 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 20037, 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)582-5477 or visit www.kippdc.org. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. 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
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because DC Public Schools serves zip code 20037, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 20037. 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 20037.
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 20037 data.