District of Columbia Public Schools operates 116 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | District of Columbia 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 | $22,000/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ↑ 104% 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
About District of Columbia Public Schools
Zip code 20009 in Washington, Washington D.C. is served by District of Columbia Public Schools for public school enrollment. The district covers grades K–12. This page provides a data-driven overview of District of Columbia 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
According to NCES 2024–2025, District of Columbia Public Schools spends approximately $22,000 per student per year, placing it near 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
At 116 schools serving grades K–12, District of Columbia Public Schools qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 50,131 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 8/10 Rating
With a rating of 8/10 (above average), District of Columbia Public Schools ranks among Washington D.C.’s above average-rated school systems. 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 (2017–18 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 20009
Children in zip code 20009 are assigned to District of Columbia Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 20009, 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 proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. 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
For families considering a purchase in the Washington area, district assignment matters financially. Because District of Columbia Public Schools serves zip code 20009, homes in and around zip code 20009 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. 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 20009.
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 District of Columbia Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 20009 data.