Greater U Street Historic District · Grades PK3–5
What the data shows
Garrison Elementary School · 3-star OSSE rating · Lottery required (MySchoolDC) · 6 photos. Student body: 47% blackafrican-american, 25% white.
Source: OSSE School Report Card — official rating from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Garrison Elementary School is a DCPS public elementary at 1200 S Street NW in the Greater U Street Historic District, Ward 2. The school describes itself as "intentionally diverse" — Garrison's leadership has explicitly built the school community around the goal of socioeconomic and racial diversity, a deliberate counter to the school-segregation patterns common in DC.
The U Street location puts students within walking distance of the African American Civil War Memorial, Howard Theatre, and Lincoln Theatre — Garrison teachers regularly incorporate these into curriculum.
Garrison feeds John Francis Education Campus for grades 6–8 and then Cardozo Education Campus for high school under the DCPS in-boundary system.
In-boundary Ward 2 families guaranteed seats. Out-of-boundary applicants apply via My School DC before the late-January deadline. Garrison has become an out-of-boundary draw because of its diversity-first identity and central location. School hours: 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Current enrollment: 47% Black/African-American, 20% Hispanic/Latino, with white non-Hispanic, multiracial, and Asian populations. The "intentionally diverse" framing is reflected in the mix — Garrison's demographics are unusually balanced for a DCPS elementary in central DC.
Compare other DCPS elementary options on our elementary schools in DC directory.
“Garrison is an intentionally diverse community school with the vision that every student will be loved, challenged, and prepared to thrive. We implement the Whole Child Model for student wellbeing and have helped scale our Science of Reading-aligned structured literacy approach across DCPS. We partner with our families to build community across difference, with the goal of equity and excellence for each of our children. Learn more on our website and at an upcoming open house, and partner with us”
Specialized Programs
Enrichment
DC SCORES soccer & poetry · Girls on the Run · martial arts · Ballet & Books · mentoring · tutoring
1200 S STREET NW
Required
All DC residents enrolled at Garrison 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.
Garrison Elementary School serves grades PK3–5 in the Greater U Street Historic District neighborhood of Washington DC.
Garrison Elementary School is located in Ward 2, Greater U Street Historic District, Washington DC.
Garrison 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.
Garrison 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, Garrison Elementary School is tuition-free and open to all DC residents regardless of ward or neighborhood.
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