DC school test scores and academic performance Statistics (2026): 40+ Data Points on Proficiency, Enrollment, and Funding

Fewer than three in ten DC public school students are proficient in math, a stark statistic that underscores the persistent academic challenges facing the District's education system. According to the latest citywide assessment data, only 27.8% of students in grades 3-8 met or exceeded expectations in mathematics, while 35.2% did so in English Language Arts (OSSE, 2025 DC Statewide Assessment Results). These figures exist within a complex landscape where 48% of students now attend public charter schools and the city's per-pupil expenditure of $24,535 ranks among the highest in the nation. We aggregated data from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPSCB), the Urban Institute, and dozens of other primary sources to build the definitive reference for DC school test scores and academic performance in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• 27.8% of DC students in grades 3-8 are proficient in math, compared to 35.2% in English Language Arts (OSSE, 2025 DC Statewide Assessment Results).
• Public charter schools now enroll 48% of all public school students in the District (DCPSCB, 2025 Annual Report).
• The average per-pupil expenditure in DC is $24,535, one of the highest in the United States (Urban Institute, DC Education Spending Analysis 2025).
• 69.1% of students across the city are classified as "at-risk," a designation that includes factors like homelessness or eligibility for public assistance (OSSE, 2025-26 Enrollment Audit).
• DC's four-year high school graduation rate is 72.8% (OSSE, 2025 High School Graduation Rates).
• The chronic absenteeism rate citywide is 39%, meaning nearly two in five students miss at least 10% of the school year (OSSE, 2025 Attendance Report).
• A 56-percentage point proficiency gap persists between Black and White students in ELA assessments (OSSE, 2025 DC Statewide Assessment Results).
• Over 10,500 students are on waitlists for public charter schools, indicating high demand for alternatives to traditional boundary schools (DCPSCB, 2025 Annual Report).
• 16.2% of the total student population receives specialized education services for disabilities (OSSE, 2025-26 Enrollment Audit).
• The base per-student funding level is set at $13,584 before weights for at-risk, special education, or English learner status are applied (DC Council, FY2026 Budget).

1. Citywide Academic Proficiency: A Slow and Uneven Recovery

Post-pandemic academic recovery in the District remains a significant challenge, with proficiency rates still lagging behind pre-2020 benchmarks. The latest PARCC and MSAA results show that only 35.2% of students met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts (ELA), a figure that masks deep disparities among student subgroups. For students with disabilities, math proficiency is just 7.1%, and for English learners, ELA proficiency is 10.4%. These statistics from OSSE's data portal highlight the concentrated challenges facing the city's most vulnerable learners and the immense work required to accelerate academic growth citywide.

2. Enrollment Landscape: Charter Sector Nears Majority Share

The dynamic between DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the public charter school sector continues to define the city's educational landscape. Charter schools now educate 48% of the District's 94,881 public school students, an enrollment share that has grown steadily over the past decade. This robust choice environment is managed through a centralized system, and understanding the DC school lottery is critical for families seeking placement. The demand for charter seats remains intense, with the DC Public Charter School Board reporting waitlists exceeding 10,500 students, signaling that many families are actively seeking options beyond their neighborhood school.

3. Student Demographics: A Majority At-Risk Population

The student population in DC's public schools is predominantly composed of students of color and those facing economic hardship. Citywide, 59.8% of students are Black/African American and 22.1% are Hispanic/Latino. Critically, 69.1% of all students are designated as "at-risk," a formal classification tied to weighted funding that includes students who are homeless, in foster care, or whose families qualify for SNAP or TANF benefits. This demographic reality means that the vast majority of the city's schools are Title I-eligible and must direct resources toward addressing significant non-academic barriers to learning, a key consideration for families exploring different DC schools.

4. School Funding: Per-Pupil Expenditures Lead the Nation

Washington, DC, invests heavily in public education, with financial commitments that are among the highest in the country on a per-student basis. The average per-pupil expenditure, which accounts for both local and federal funds, is $24,535. This figure is built upon a base foundation of $13,584 per student set by the Uniform Per-Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), with significant additional weights applied for students who are at-risk, English learners, or require special education services. This funding model is designed to drive resources to the schools and students with the greatest needs, a core principle detailed in the DCPS budget overview. Despite this high level of investment, translating dollars into improved academic outcomes remains a central challenge for both DCPS and the charter sector.

5. Key Performance Indicators: Graduation and Attendance

Beyond test scores, high school graduation and daily attendance serve as critical measures of school system health. The city’s four-year Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) stands at 72.8%, with the five-year rate climbing to 76.1%, indicating a notable number of students require an additional year to meet diploma requirements. However, a more immediate concern is the citywide chronic absenteeism rate of 39%. This means nearly two out of every five students are missing at least 18 days of school per year, severely hindering their ability to engage in consistent learning. This attendance crisis is a primary focus for school leaders and policymakers, as outlined in OSSE's attendance and truancy reports.

DC school test scores and academic performance by the Numbers

Methodology and Sources

This analysis is based on publicly available data from government, non-profit, and research institutions. Each statistic was cross-referenced and the most recent available data was used. All citations refer to the primary source document.

• Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE): 2025 DC Statewide Assessment Results; 2025-26 Enrollment Audit; 2025 Attendance Report; 2025 High School Graduation Rates. https://osse.dc.gov/
• DC Public Charter School Board (DCPSCB): 2025 Annual Report. https://dcpcsb.org/
• DC Public Schools (DCPS): FY2026 Proposed Budget; 2025 Human Capital Report. https://dcps.dc.gov/
• Urban Institute: DC Education Spending Analysis 2025. https://www.urban.org/
• DC Council: Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and Financial Plan. https://dccouncil.gov/
• MySchool DC: 2025 Lottery Data Report. <a href="https://www.myschooldc.org/about-us/data" rel="nofollow">https://www.myschooldc.org/about-us/data</a>
• U.S. Department of Education: Fiscal Year 2025 Grant Awards Data. https://www.ed.gov/

Last updated: October 2025 We update this page quarterly with the latest data from OSSE, DCPSCB, and federal sources.