Bancroft Elementary School

At a Glance

Bancroft Elementary School is a public neighborhood school located in Mount Pleasant, serving students from pre-kindergarten (age 3) through fifth grade. As part of the District of Columbia Public Schools system, Bancroft operates in Ward 1 and draws families primarily from the surrounding Mount Pleasant community, though DC residents throughout the city may apply through the citywide lottery system.

The school's mission centers on meeting the educational, developmental, and social needs of all students while working toward a vision of creating high-achieving, bilingual global citizens. With its focus on preparing students for leadership in the 21st century, Bancroft emphasizes both academic excellence and the development of a diverse, vibrant learning community that extends well beyond elementary school.

What Parents Should Know

Bancroft Elementary temporarily relocated its PK3 and PK4 classrooms to the Sharpe Health building at 4300 13th Street NW for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. Families with pre-kindergarten students should plan for this separate location during these years, while kindergarten through fifth grade students remain at the main Newton Street campus.

As a DCPS neighborhood school, Bancroft has a defined boundary area where students receive enrollment priority. Families living within the boundary can expect placement for their children, while out-of-boundary applicants enter through the My School DC lottery system. The lottery opens each fall for the following school year, and families should submit applications during the main lottery window for the best chance at available seats.

The grade configuration means students attend Bancroft from early childhood through fifth grade, after which they'll transition to middle school. DC families should plan ahead for this transition point and research middle school options well before fifth grade. Some families begin the middle school lottery process as early as fourth grade to understand their options.

Mount Pleasant's location in upper Northwest DC offers relatively accessible transit options via the Columbia Heights Metro station and multiple bus lines. The neighborhood's walkability makes it convenient for families living nearby, though parking can be limited for those driving to drop-off and pick-up.

Programs and Approach

As a DC Public Schools institution, Bancroft Elementary follows the DCPS curriculum framework and operates within the district's policies and calendar. The school's stated commitment to developing bilingual global citizens suggests a focus on language instruction as part of its educational approach, though families should contact the school directly to understand current program offerings and how language learning is implemented across grade levels.

Enrollment at Bancroft, like all DCPS and public charter schools in DC, occurs through the My School DC unified lottery system. Families create one application listing their preferred schools in order of preference, and the lottery algorithm matches students to schools based on preference, sibling priority, boundary status, and available seats. In-boundary students at neighborhood schools like Bancroft receive priority placement, making the boundary zone an important consideration for families choosing where to live in DC.

The pre-K through fifth grade span means Bancroft serves children from as young as three years old through approximately age eleven. Early childhood programs for three- and four-year-olds provide foundational learning experiences, while the elementary grades build academic skills and content knowledge. Families should inquire about how the school structures its early childhood program and what the transition looks like as students move from pre-K into kindergarten and beyond.

Visiting and Contact

Bancroft Elementary School is located at 1755 Newton Street NW in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Ward 1. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling tours, or getting current information about programs and enrollment should visit the school's website at http://bancroftelementary.org/ or call 202-673-7280.