Washington DC Neighborhoods with Top-Ranked Schools

dc neighborhoods excelling in education

Whether you’re planning to relocate to the nation’s capital or a long-time resident looking to move to a Washington DC neighborhood with top-ranked schools, this article helps navigate you through the best DC neighborhoods for education.

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Georgetown

Next to the Potomac River, west of Dupont Circle, and south of Woodley Park, Georgetown is one of the District’s most upscale neighborhoods. Home to exclusive restaurants, chic boutiques, and historic multi-million-dollar rowhouses, Georgetown is also one of DC’s safest neighborhoods and boasts two of the District’s top-ranked schools.

Washington International School (Primary)

Washington International School (Primary Campus) offers a Pre-K through Kindergarten French or Spanish Immersion Program, and students in grades one through five are enrolled in the Dual Language Program. The school’s International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) serves as the blueprint for the curriculum. Students study all core subjects in two languages. 

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Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School

All girls Catholic High School, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (Visl) provides students with challenging academics and spiritual grounding. Visl offers 30 AP and Honors courses, six spiritual retreats, and has a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Woodley Park

Woodley Park is one of the District’s most popular northwest neighborhoods to call home. Its exclusive location is home to Rock Creek and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. This peaceful neighborhood is home to various architectural styles ranging from modern condos to early 20th century renovated row houses. Woodley Park is also home to one of Washington DC’s top-ranked schools.

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Maret School

Maret School is a private school for grades K through 12. With only 650 students, Maret School provides a learning environment where students exceed expectations with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1. Maret School embraces different cultures and student interests, perspectives, and talents. The school’s minority enrollment is nearly 50%.

Cleveland Park 

Cleveland Park is home to more top-ranked DC schools than any other neighborhood. Famous for its beauty and family-friendly environment, the northwest neighborhood is well known for its exquisite Victorian, Queen Anne, and Art Deco homes. The neighborhood is just ten minutes from downtown Washington, making it an ideal neighborhood for commuters.

Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School is home to students in grades K through 12. The lower grades campus is located in nearby Bethesda, Maryland, while grades five through 12 are situated on a 15-acre campus in Cleveland Park. The astute school teaches the Quaker belief that there is “that of God in everyone.” Twenty-two percent of students receive some financial aid - the school believes every child deserves a quality education. 

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National Cathedral School

National Cathedral School (NCS) is a private all-girls educational institution serving grades four through 12. Eighty-five percent of NCS students complete calculus by graduation, and over $17 million has been awarded in grants and scholarships over the last five years. NCS is a STEAM (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) school, preparing young ladies for an incredible professional life. 

St. Albans School

St. Albans, a neighbor to Sidwell Friends School and National Cathedral School, is an all-boys school grade four through 12. With a 7 to 1 student-teacher ratio and an average class of 13 students, young men learn character, kindness, an open mind, and incredible academics. St. Albans has a coordinated program with the National Cathedral School and offers coeducational opportunities for athletics, arts, and academics.

Top-Ranked Schools in DC

Washington DC is home to several highly rated schools. For families searching to live in a neighborhood with excelling schools, Georgetown, Woodley Park, and Cleveland Park are excellent choices.