Best Washington Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 147 public preschools serving 51,036 students in Washington, DC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Washington, DC are Janney Elementary School, Key Elementary School and Lafayette Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Washington, DC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the District Of Columbia public pre school average of 28%), and reading proficiency score of 31% (versus the 31% statewide average). Pre schools in Washington have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of District Of Columbia public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public preschool average of 83% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Washington, DC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Janney Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
4130 Albemarle St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0110
Gr: PK-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Key Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
5001 Dana Pl. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 729-3280
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Lafayette Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5701 Broad Branch Rd. Nw
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 282-0116
Gr: PK-5 | 923 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Ross Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1730 R St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 171 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3 - 53. - 5.
Stoddert Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4001 Calvert St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 671-6030
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hearst Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3950 37th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0106
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Mann Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4430 Newark St. Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-0126
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #88.
Brent Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
301 North Carolina Ave. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3363
Gr: PK-5 | 421 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Maury Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1250 Constitution Ave. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 698-3838
Gr: PK-5 | 559 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Murch Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4810 36th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0130
Gr: PK-5 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1111.
Eaton Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3301 Lowell St Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-0103
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1212.
Hyde-addison Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3219 O St. Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 282-0170
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1313.
Shepherd Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
7800 14th St Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 576-6140
Gr: PK-5 | 394 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1414.
Oyster-adams Bilingual School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2801 Calvert St. Nw And 2501 1
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 671-6130
Gr: PK-8 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1515.
Ludlow-taylor Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
659 G St. Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 698-3244
Gr: PK-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1616.
Washington Yu Ying Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
220 Taylor Street Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 635-1950
Gr: PK-5 | 701 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1717.
School-within-school At Goding
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
920 F St. Nw
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-7377
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1818.
Inspired Teaching Demonstration Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
200 Douglas Street Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 248-6825
Gr: PK-8 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1919.
Dc Bilingual Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
33 Riggs Road Ne
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 750-6674
Gr: PK-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #2020.
Latin American Montessori Bilingual Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5000 14th Street Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 726-6200
Gr: PK-5 | 572 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2121.
Payne Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1445 C St. Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3262
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2222.
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Pcs - Brookland
Charter School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3700 Oakview Terrace Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 265-7237
Gr: PK-5 | 354 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2323.
Burroughs Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1820 Monroe St. Ne
Washington, DC 20018
(202) 576-6150
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2424.
Bancroft Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1755 Newton St. Nw
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 673-7280
Gr: PK-5 | 821 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2525.
Lee Montessori Pcs - Brookland
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3025 4th Street Ne
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 779-9740
Gr: PK-6 | 298 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2626.
Garrison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1200 S St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7263
Gr: PK-5 | 395 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2727.
Marie Reed Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2201 18th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 673-7308
Gr: PK-5 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Seaton Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1503 10th St. Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 673-7215
Gr: PK-5 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Two Rivers Pcs - Young Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
820 26th Street Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 388-1360
Gr: PK-5 | 407 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #3030.
John Francis Education Campus
(Math: 30% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2425 N St Nw
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 724-4841
Gr: PK-8 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #3131.
Two Rivers Pcs - 4th Street
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1227 4th Street Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-8477
Gr: PK-5 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #3232.
Bruce-monroe Es At Park View
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3560 Warder St. Nw
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 576-6222
Gr: PK-5 | 448 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3333.
Breakthrough Montessori Pcs
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6923 Willow Street Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 864-1979
Gr: PK-6 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3434.
Barnard Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
430 Decatur St. Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 576-1100
Gr: PK-5 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #3535.
Mundo Verde Bilingual Pcs - J.f. Cook
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
30 P Street Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 750-7060
Gr: PK-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Show 100 more public schools in Washington, DC (out of 147 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Washington, DC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Washington, DC include Janney Elementary School, Key Elementary School and Lafayette Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Washington?
147 public preschools are located in Washington.
What is the racial composition of students in Washington?
Washington public preschools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the District Of Columbia public preschools average of 83% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Washington are often viewed compared to one another?

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