Cardozo/Shaw · Grades PK3–5
What the data shows
Cleveland Elementary School · 3-star OSSE rating · Open enrollment · 6 photos. Student body: 51% blackafrican-american, 42% hispanic.
Source: OSSE School Report Card — official rating from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Cleveland Elementary School is a DCPS public elementary serving pre-K3 through 5th grade in Cardozo / Shaw, Ward 1. The campus sits at 1825 8th Street NW. Cleveland's defining feature is its Dual Language / Immersion (DL) program — instruction is delivered in both English and Spanish, making it one of a small set of DCPS bilingual public elementaries (alongside Oyster-Adams, Mundo Verde PCS, and Houston Elementary).
Cleveland's DL strand follows the standard 50/50 immersion model: students receive content instruction in both languages across academic subjects. Native Spanish speakers learn alongside native English speakers, building biliteracy by 5th grade. The model targets bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural competence.
Cleveland feeds into John Francis Education Campus for grades 6–8, which in turn feeds Cardozo Education Campus for high school. Families staying in-boundary in Ward 1 can move PK3 to 8 to 12 on this path.
In-boundary Ward 1 families guaranteed seats. Out-of-boundary applicants apply via My School DC before the late-January deadline; Cleveland's DL program is one of the more competitive out-of-boundary draws because of the bilingual track. School hours: 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Uniforms required.
Current enrollment: 51% Black/African-American, 42% Hispanic/Latino, with small white, Asian, and multiracial populations. The mix reflects Ward 1's Latino-heavy Cardozo / Shaw demographics and the DL program's draw on Hispanic families citywide.
Compare other bilingual DCPS options on our elementary schools in DC directory.
“Our mission is to provide our scholars with rich instruction and a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum designed to stimulate deep creative inquiry, critical thinking, intellectual stamina, and moral responsibility in an environment of shared values of non-violence, equality, and unity. We have a Dual Language program and a traditional English classroom.”
Specialized Programs
1825 8TH STREET NW
Dual Language/Immersion
Not required
All DC residents enrolled at Cleveland 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.
Cleveland Elementary School serves grades PK3–5 in the Cardozo/Shaw neighborhood of Washington DC.
Cleveland Elementary School is located in Ward 1, Cardozo/Shaw, Washington DC.
Cleveland Elementary School is DCPS (DC Public Schools). Contact the school directly for enrollment and seat availability.
Cleveland Elementary School received a 3/5 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, Cleveland Elementary School is tuition-free and open to all DC residents regardless of ward or neighborhood.
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