Powell Elementary School

At a Glance

Powell Elementary School is a public DCPS school serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the Petworth neighborhood of Ward 4. Located on Upshur Street NW, Powell operates as an award-winning community school with a distinctive dual language program that aims to develop bilingual, globally prepared students. The school serves families throughout the District through DC's public school lottery system, with special enrollment preferences available for in-boundary families applying to pre-K programs.

Powell's approach emphasizes demonstrating learning through multiple methods, including student portfolios, performances, and traditional assessments, creating varied opportunities for children to show what they know and can do.

What Parents Should Know

Powell Elementary is part of the DC Public Schools system, which means families apply through the My School DC lottery process rather than applying directly to the school. In-boundary families—those who live within Powell's attendance zone—receive a preference for pre-kindergarten 3 and pre-kindergarten 4 seats through what's called Equitable Access, giving neighborhood families an advantage in lottery placement for these early childhood grades.

The dual language program is a defining feature of Powell and represents a multi-year commitment for families. Students in dual language programs typically receive instruction in both English and a partner language throughout their elementary years, building fluency and literacy in both languages simultaneously. Parents considering Powell should understand that this approach requires consistency across grades for the full benefit.

As a PK3–5 school, Powell covers the full span of elementary education, from three-year-old pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Families should plan for a transition to a middle school after fifth grade, which will require another round of My School DC lottery applications when students are ready to move on. This grade configuration means students can remain in one school community for up to seven years if they start in PK3.

The school's location in Petworth places it in a neighborhood with growing family populations and good access to public transportation, making it reachable for families from various parts of the District who receive placement through the lottery.

Programs and Approach

Powell Elementary centers its work on academic success for all students within a community school model. The dual language program provides students the opportunity to become bilingual while developing the academic and social skills needed for success—an increasingly valuable asset in our interconnected world. This approach recognizes that multilingualism is both a cognitive advantage and a practical skill for students' futures.

The school's emphasis on multiple forms of demonstration—portfolios, performances, and assessments—suggests a broader view of student achievement than test scores alone. Portfolios allow students and teachers to collect work over time, showing growth and development. Performance-based demonstrations give students chances to present their learning to authentic audiences, building confidence and communication skills alongside academic content.

As a DC Public Schools institution, enrollment happens exclusively through the My School DC common lottery system. Families create a single application ranking up to twelve schools in order of preference, submitting it during the annual lottery window that typically runs from late fall through winter. In-boundary students receive preferential placement for their neighborhood school, while out-of-boundary families can still list Powell on their applications and may receive offers if space is available after boundary preferences are met.

Parents interested in Powell should attend the school's open houses or information sessions during lottery season to learn more about the dual language model and see the school community in action.

Visiting and Contact

Powell Elementary School is located at 1350 Upshur Street NW in the Petworth neighborhood of Ward 4. Families can reach the school at 202-671-6270 or visit https://www.powellbilingualelementary.com/ for current information about tours, the dual language program, and enrollment timelines.