| Metric | District of Columbia Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 50,131 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 116 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $31,529/yr | $17,619/yr | ↑ 79% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 — Good | 76th | Above average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 57 rated districts in DC → 76th percentile → 8/10.
The District has no other geographic school districts, so this ranks DC Public Schools against all 57 DC local education agencies that report results — DCPS plus the public charter LEAs, which admit by city-wide lottery rather than by address. That peer group is city-wide and differs from other states, whose rankings cover geographic districts. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology
- Jefferson MS Academy — 0.7 mi · Grades 6–8 · 409 students
- Thomson ES — 0.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 259 students
- Amidon-Bowen ES — 0.9 mi · Grades PK–5 · 374 students
- Walker-Jones Education Campus — 1.2 mi · Grades PK–8 · 292 students
- School Without Walls HS — 1.2 mi · Grades 9–12 · 606 students
- Seaton ES — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 390 students
- Dunbar HS — 1.4 mi · Grades 9–12 · 892 students
- Brent ES — 1.4 mi · Grades PK–5 · 421 students
About District of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 20560 in Washington, Washington D.C. Serving students from Pre-K–12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 20560. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 8/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates District of Columbia Public Schools 8 out of 10 — above average among Washington D.C. public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Washington D.C. is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
District of Columbia Public Schools earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Washington D.C. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 20560
Children in zip code 20560 are assigned to District of Columbia 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 20560, 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 District of Columbia Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. 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 District of Columbia Public Schools serves zip code 20560, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 20560. 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 District of Columbia 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 20560.
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 and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with District of Columbia Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20560 data.