Raymond Elementary School

At a Glance

Raymond Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten (age 3) through fifth grade in the Petworth neighborhood of Ward 4. As a DC Public School, Raymond offers neighborhood priority for families living within its boundary and participates in the city-wide My School DC lottery system for enrollment. The school's mission centers on developing college and career readiness through an approach that emphasizes critical thinking, inclusivity, and what they call educating the "whole child"—addressing academic, social, and emotional growth together.

With its motto "Everybody Loves Raymond ES: A school with S.W.A.G. (Scholars with Academic Goals)," the school cultivates a community identity focused on academic achievement while building positive relationships between families and staff. Located on Spring Road NW, Raymond serves as a neighborhood elementary school for Petworth families and others seeking enrollment through the district's lottery system.

What Parents Should Know

Raymond is a traditional DCPS elementary school, which means neighborhood families within the school's boundary receive enrollment priority, while out-of-boundary families can enter the My School DC lottery during the annual application window (typically October through March for the following school year). The school's PK3-5 grade configuration means families will need to plan for a transition to middle school after fifth grade, typically to a DCPS middle school serving grades 6-8.

The Petworth location in Ward 4 places Raymond in a historically residential neighborhood with good Metro access via the Petworth and Georgia Avenue-Petworth stations on the Green and Yellow lines. Spring Road NW runs east-west through the neighborhood, making the school accessible by multiple bus routes for families commuting from other areas.

As an elementary school emphasizing equity and inclusion, Raymond works to create what it describes as an "exemplary learning community" where all students can develop leadership skills and prepare for future academic challenges. Parents should expect a focus on building independent problem-solving abilities and effective communication skills as core competencies throughout the elementary years.

The school encourages family engagement and views the partnership between parents and staff as essential to supporting students' academic and social-emotional development. Families considering Raymond should contact the school directly or visit the website to learn about current programs, tour opportunities, and the specific supports available for students at different grade levels.

Programs and Approach

As a DC Public School, Raymond Elementary participates in the My School DC common lottery system, which serves as the unified enrollment process for both DCPS and participating public charter schools across the District. Families apply online during the annual application window, ranking their school preferences. The lottery algorithm then assigns students based on factors including sibling priority, neighborhood boundary status, and random lottery number.

Raymond's educational philosophy emphasizes developing "college and career ready" skills starting in the earliest grades, with attention to critical thinking and the ability to "grapple with challenges" as students progress through elementary school. The whole-child approach means the school attends to more than academics alone, incorporating social-emotional learning and character development into daily school life.

The school's vision statement highlights empowerment—helping students become not just academically proficient but also responsible citizens prepared for an increasingly interconnected world. Parents can expect an environment that values diversity and works to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities for all students, regardless of background or starting point.

For families new to DCPS or the DC school system, it's important to note that public schools like Raymond receive funding based on enrollment and must follow district-wide policies on curriculum frameworks, assessment, and teacher qualifications. Specific academic programs, enrichment opportunities, and extracurricular offerings can evolve from year to year based on staffing, funding, and community needs.

Visiting and Contact

Raymond Elementary School is located at 915 Spring Road NW in the Petworth neighborhood of Northwest DC. Families interested in learning more about the school, scheduling a tour, or accessing current enrollment information should visit the school's website at http://raymondeducationcampus.org/ or call 202-576-6236 to speak with the main office.