In the new PARCC results released today, 25.5 percent of DC Public Schools (DCPS) students met or exceeded expectations on the grades 3-8 and high school English language arts (ELA) assessments, while 23.9 percent met or exceeded expectations on the grades 3-8 and high school math assessments, showing an increase in math scores and a slight increase in ELA scores compared to the 2015 scores.

“The PARCC scores show us that our approach of helping great educators teach rigorous content is producing real results at many of our schools,” said Kaya Henderson, Chancellor of DC Public Schools. “But there is no shortcut to the hard work of improving student outcomes.”

Benjamin Banneker High School (Ward 1) saw significant increases on PARCC with a 24 percent increase in ELA and a 30 percent increase in math.

“I’m thrilled that Banneker has made such gains on PARCC,” said Anita Berger, Principal of Benjamin Banneker High School. “We already had great teachers and a great curriculum in place, but we were deliberate in our increased offering of AP courses, our emphasis on content mastery, and relaying the importance of this exam to our students and families.”

Many schools across the city made significant gains in both ELA and math scores, with nearly half of DC Public Schools making critical gains in both reading and math scores compared to the 2015 scores.

• Raymond Education Campus (Ward 4), the first extended-year school where students receive extra learning time, saw gains of 6 percent in ELA and 3 percent in math.
• Ketcham Elementary School (Ward 8) saw a 5 percent increase in ELA and an 18 percent increase in math.
• Marie Reed Elementary School (Ward 1) saw a 17 percent increase in ELA scores and a 10 percent increase in math.
• Hearst Elementary School (Ward 3) saw a 14 percent increase in ELA and a 12 percent increase in math.
• Beers Elementary School (Ward 7) saw a 12 percent increase in ELA and a 10 percent increase in math.
• Burroughs Elementary School (Ward 5) saw an 11 percent increase in ELA and a 16 percent increase in math.

“An increase in our PARCC scores is another indicator that extending the school year is benefiting our young scholars,” said Natalie Hubbard, Principal of Raymond Education Campus, which is in its second year as an extended-year school. “Our students have had the opportunity for more learning time, more field trips, and more support with our extended calendar, and I look forward to seeing continued progress at Raymond.”

Schools that made gains of two percent or more in both subjects

View the percent of students who were on track by school for grades 3-8 and high school in ELA and math.

“DC Public Schools has experienced consistent gains for nearly a decade on NAEP TUDA and almost every measure from graduation rates to student satisfaction,” continued Chancellor Henderson. “But we still have a great deal of work left to do to ensure that all students are meeting these high standards.”

DCPS Investments

DC Public Schools has implemented key programming to ensure the PARCC scores continue to climb, from extended learning time at 11 elementary and middle schools, to investing in alternative high schools. DCPS has also launched new teacher support with Learning together to Advance our Practice (LEAP) in every classroom at every school. Teachers, assistant principals, and instructional coaches lead LEAP. By participating in weekly, content-based meetings, reflecting on student work, and seeking peer-to-peer observations and feedback, teachers will improve their craft.

View the 2015 PARCC scores for high school students.
View the 2015 PARCC scores for grades 3-8.