What share of students in the District of Columbia are proficient in math?

In 2024, 20% of eighth graders in the District of Columbia public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (7th lowest among the 50 states and DC) and 25% in reading, compared with 23% and 23% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in District of Columbia, United States: official figures

76.4% of public high school students in the District of Columbia graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); the lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

76.4%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

209

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

262

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$31,529

FY2024

Public school enrollment

92,794

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

65.5%

2024

Is the graduation rate in the District of Columbia rising?

The four-year graduation rate in the District of Columbia was 76.4% in 2021-22, compared with 59% in 2011-12 and 68.9% in 2018-19, before the pandemic; nationally the rate went from 80% in 2011-12 to 86.6% in 2021-22.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate for disadvantaged students in the District of Columbia?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in the District of Columbia was 65.0% for economically disadvantaged students, 63.0% for students with disabilities and 55.0% for English learners (U.S.: 81.3%, 71.4%, 72.1% respectively).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate by race in the District of Columbia?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in the District of Columbia was 75.6% for Black, 69.0% for Hispanic and 96.0% for White students (U.S.: 81.0%, 82.8%, 89.8%).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in the District of Columbia score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in the District of Columbia averaged 209 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 8th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 214 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 30% scored at or above Proficient and 48% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in the District of Columbia score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in the District of Columbia averaged 251 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC, up from 250 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 25% scored at or above Proficient and 42% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in the District of Columbia score in grade 4 math?

Public school students in the District of Columbia averaged 231 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 235 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 33% scored at or above Proficient and 35% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in the District of Columbia score in grade 8 math?

Public school students in the District of Columbia averaged 262 in eighth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 4th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 269 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 20% scored at or above Proficient and 54% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How much does the District of Columbia spend per student?

Public school systems in the District of Columbia spent $31,529 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 2nd highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $17,619), according to the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Is school spending per pupil in the District of Columbia going up?

Current spending per pupil in the District of Columbia rose from $22,562 in fiscal 2019 to $31,529 in fiscal 2024, up 39.7% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was down 0.3%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does the District of Columbia spend school money on?

Of the $31,529 spent per pupil in the District of Columbia in fiscal 2024, $15,764 went on instruction and $14,706 on support services; salaries and wages came to $21,723 per pupil and employee benefits $3,807.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in the District of Columbia come from?

Public school systems in the District of Columbia received $1.9 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 13.9% from the federal government, none from a state government (the District has no separate state level), and 86.1% from local sources such as property taxes (U.S.: 11.6%, 45.2% and 43.2%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does the District of Columbia spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in the District of Columbia was $2.0 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $1.7 billion was current spending and $313.73 million capital outlay on buildings and equipment.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in the District of Columbia?

92,794 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in the District of Columbia in fall 2023, up 3.2% on fall 2019 (89,878) and up 18.7% on fall 2013; nationally enrollment was down 2.5% since 2019.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the student-teacher ratio in the District of Columbia?

Public schools in the District of Columbia had 8,052 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 11.3 pupils per teacher, 2nd fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; the District of Columbia in fall 2019: 12.1).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What percentage of people in the District of Columbia have a college degree?

65.5% of adults aged 25 and over in the District of Columbia, about 328,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; the highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 2.5 percentage points on 2021 (63.0%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in the District of Columbia have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 38.3% of adults 25 and over in the District of Columbia had a graduate or professional degree and 2.0% an associate degree as their highest qualification (U.S.: 14.7% and 8.8%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many adults in the District of Columbia did not finish high school?

92.0% of adults 25 and over in the District of Columbia had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 8.0% without one; that share is joint 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How District of Columbia compares with other federal districts

Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR) (2021-22)

District of Columbia ranks 49 of 49, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate; New Mexico and Oklahoma did not report for 2021-22

Rank	Region	Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR)
43	Nevada	81.7%
44	Oregon	81.3%
45	Michigan	81.0%
46	Idaho	79.9%
47	Alaska	77.8%
48	Arizona	77.3%
49	District of Columbia	76.4%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

District of Columbia ranks 47 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
42	Alaska	70.2%
43	Michigan	69.6%
44	Idaho	69.6%
45	North Dakota	69.0%
46	Wyoming	68.0%
47	District of Columbia	65.0%
48	South Dakota	60.0%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 45 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
42	Maine	210
43	Delaware	210
44	Michigan	209
45	District of Columbia	209
46	Arizona	208
47	Oregon	207
48	Oklahoma	207

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 45 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score
42	Nevada	253
43	Mississippi	253
44	Texas	252
45	District of Columbia	251
46	Alabama	250
47	Oklahoma	249
48	Delaware	249

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 47 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
44	Delaware	233
45	Arizona	232
46	West Virginia	232
47	District of Columbia	231
48	Arkansas	230
49	Oregon	229
50	Alaska	226

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 49 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
45	Oklahoma	264
46	Alaska	264
47	Delaware	263
48	Alabama	262
49	District of Columbia	262
50	West Virginia	261
51	New Mexico	256

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 45 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
42	Florida	21.1%
43	Louisiana	20.8%
44	Nevada	20.2%
45	District of Columbia	20.1%
46	Arkansas	19.8%
47	Delaware	19.3%
48	Alabama	18.4%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 4 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
1	New Mexico	53.1%
2	Alaska	52.6%
3	Oregon	48.3%
4	District of Columbia	48.0%
5	West Virginia	47.4%
6	Arizona	46.5%
7	Oklahoma	46.4%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

District of Columbia ranks 2 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
1	New York	$31,918
2	District of Columbia	$31,529
3	Vermont	$28,818
4	New Jersey	$27,234
5	Connecticut	$26,316
6	Massachusetts	$24,429
7	Hawaii	$23,878

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019 (FY2019-FY2024)

District of Columbia ranks 11 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
8	Vermont	+41.9%
9	Utah	+41.6%
10	Georgia	+41.0%
11	District of Columbia	+39.7%
12	Arizona	+39.2%
13	Idaho	+38.5%
14	Massachusetts	+37.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

District of Columbia ranks 1 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau

Rank	Region	Share of public school revenue from local sources
1	District of Columbia	86.1%
2	New Hampshire	63.4%
3	Connecticut	56.1%
4	Nebraska	55.9%
5	Florida	55.4%
6	Colorado	54.8%
7	Missouri	53.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)

District of Columbia ranks 50 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
45	New Jersey	11.8
46	New York	11.7
47	Connecticut	11.7
48	New Hampshire	11.5
49	Maine	11.4
50	District of Columbia	11.3
51	Vermont	10.5

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023 (2019-2023)

District of Columbia ranks 1 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
1	District of Columbia	+3.2%
2	North Dakota	+2.5%
3	Idaho	+1.7%
4	Delaware	+1.4%
5	South Dakota	+1.1%
6	South Carolina	+0.9%
7	Utah	+0.8%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 1 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
1	District of Columbia	65.5%
2	Massachusetts	48.3%
3	Colorado	47.8%
4	Vermont	45.1%
5	Maryland	44.7%
6	New Jersey	44.5%
7	Virginia	43.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent (2024)

District of Columbia ranks 30 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
27	Delaware	8.2%
28	Missouri	8.0%
29	Kansas	8.0%
30	District of Columbia	8.0%
31	Ohio	7.8%
32	Michigan	7.8%
33	Washington	7.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

More on District of Columbia: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · the United States

Sources

National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 219.46: Public high school 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR), by selected student characteristics and state, 2011-12 through 2021-22, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1913b92e5e75…)
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Educational attainment for the population 25 years and over (B15003), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c933281d2c2…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2024, Table 203.20: Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state, fall 1990 through fall 2023 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8e370b60d62a…)
U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances: summary tables (Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data, fiscal year 2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 848133174f29…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 913ed194a3d5…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7dc207d5418d…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7da857933d83…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 790de8a24822…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 208.40: Public elementary and secondary teachers, enrollment, and pupil/teacher ratios, by state, fall 2000 through fall 2022 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c15568f58c4c…)

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