Capitol Hill · Grades PK3–5
What the data shows
Brent Elementary School · 4-star OSSE rating · Lottery required (MySchoolDC) · 6 photos. Student body: 67% white, 11% blackafrican-american.
Source: OSSE School Report Card — official rating from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Brent Elementary School is a DCPS public elementary serving pre-K3 through 5th grade in the Capitol Hill Historic District of Ward 6. The campus sits at 301 North Carolina Avenue SE — a short walk from Eastern Market Metro — and serves as the in-boundary elementary for a swath of Capitol Hill.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Brent #10 among DC elementary schools. The school's reputation rests on a tight Capitol Hill parent community, strong academics across all grades, and the BEAR identity — Brave, Empathetic, Active, Responsible — that every classroom uses as a behavioral and instructional frame.
The current Brent building dates to 1968. DCPS has it scheduled for a full 94,000 square-foot modernization that will rebuild and expand the facility. Until completion, classes continue at the existing site; the modernization plan is published at dcps.dc.gov.
Brent runs the standard DCPS elementary curriculum (CKLA literacy, Eureka Math) with two distinctive add-ons:
The BEAR values run vertically through every grade: K classrooms use them as morning-meeting anchors, upper grades fold them into student leadership roles.
Brent feeds into Jefferson Middle School Academy under the DCPS boundary system. Capitol Hill families using the in-boundary path move from Brent → Jefferson → Eastern High School without re-entering the lottery, provided they stay on track.
In-boundary Capitol Hill families are guaranteed a seat with proof of DC residency. Out-of-boundary applicants apply through My School DC before the late-January lottery deadline. Proximity preference applies for students who live within walking distance but outside the in-boundary zone. Open houses are scheduled through the school year — RSVP to brentelementary@k12.dc.gov.
Current enrollment skews white non-Hispanic (about 67%), with Black/African-American at 11%, multiracial at 10%, Hispanic/Latino at 9%, Asian at 4%, and small Native American and Pacific Islander populations. The mix reflects Capitol Hill more than DCPS overall — district-wide DCPS is majority Black and Hispanic.
Compare other top Capitol Hill options on our elementary schools in DC directory.
“At Brent, we bring together a diverse learning community of students, staff and families to provide an academic, ethical and personalized foundation for success in a global society. The goal is to nurture self-motivated and joyful learners who are creative and critical in their thinking and highly capable in their communication.”
Specialized Programs
Enrichment
Cross Country - Boys & Girls · Soccer Club · Library Club
301 NORTH CAROLINA AVENUE SE
Required
All DC residents enrolled at Brent Elementary School (ages 5–21) qualify for Kids Ride Free — a SmarTrip card that grants free Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator rides on school days.
From Google business listing — confirm with the school directly.
Brent Elementary School serves grades PK3–5 in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington DC.
Brent Elementary School is located in Ward 6, Capitol Hill, Washington DC.
Brent Elementary School is DCPS (DC Public Schools) that requires a lottery application. Applications are submitted through MySchoolDC (myschooldc.org), which opens each November and closes in early February. Results are released in late March.
Brent Elementary School received a 4/5 star rating (★★★★☆) from the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in SY 2018-19. OSSE ratings measure academic achievement, growth, and attendance.
Yes. As a DC public school, Brent Elementary School is tuition-free and open to all DC residents regardless of ward or neighborhood.
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