John Lewis Elementary School

1335 Farragut Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20011

School District

District Of Columbia Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:9
Type

public

School Map for District Of Columbia Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 03, 2025

We've been at John Lewis since they opened the new building in 2021, have two daughters there in 1st and PK4 who both started in PK3. We could not be happier with this school. The principal is the most caring, nurturing and committed to ensuring a safe, healthy environment in which all kids can learn and thrive, and has created a culture among all staff who believe the same. We've had no major issues since we've been at the school, and whenever minor ones have arisen the staff work quickly to address them. Teachers and administration are communicative with parents and engaged with the entire school community. This school is magical, and we wish all kids and families could be as blessed as we are to be part of it.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2024

This is an amazing school in an amazing building.
Submitted by parent on November 27, 2023

JOHN LEWIS ELEMENTARY is an amazing experience. It's a beautiful new building with a great team of teachers and administrators. Heavily underrated school on this site, and they have the name listed incorrectly!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2018

My son loves West. He's asked to go to school on the weekend a few times (never happened at his old school). Principal Vroman is dynamic and a go getter--she listens to parents and follows through. She (or another administrator) often greets the kids at the entrance in the morning and plays upbeat pop music (so everyone starts the day smiling, in a good mood). She also worked something out with the Fillmore Arts Center so all the kids have music as a fifth special. On top of the musical the phenomenal art teacher organizes.I love it but hadn't realized a lot of what the school offers until my son went there. I also had three concerns that turned out either not to be a concern or a positive: 1) Main reservation was about the building. But the renovation is happening soon. And my son seems to see the physical space as an asset rather than a negative and I see it more that way now that I compare it with some charters. The outdoor space is huge, they have 3 or 4 playgrounds ("my school has sooo many playgrounds" he says), a spray park, a vegetable/flower/pollinator garden City Blooms helped design and that's a part of the kids' learning, an outdoor classroom, a basketball court, and a huge field, there's a new gym (where he's learning basketball), the cafeteria (where they do a musical), the huge meeting room (where they do school assemblies).2) I was concerned about not having music as a specials class--but the principal already took care of that--the Fillmore offers music class (most schools its size only have four specials, not five). 3) I was anxious about having young kids with middle schoolers. But that hasn't been an issue. For one, the middle schoolers are on a different floor in a different wing. Also, they'll start phasing out middle school next year. And besides, all my interactions with the middle schoolers have impressed me--they've been super polite or thoughtful.The 3rd graders rocked tests last year (did better than most of the fancy charters I looked at) so all signs are positive. Room for improvement? I love the special after school activities kids can sign up for (Bollywood hip hop, doctor mentorship, African dance & drumming, soccer, karate) but I'd love to see a few more so my son could get both his soccer AND piano class in during the week rather than weekend. Update data (test scores, equity section); it's wrong or years old.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2016

This school is a neighborhood gem. Our kids are in early elementary grades, and have grown there tremendously (academically and socially). The school seems to be continuously improving. I think that principal Vroman is doing a great job and steering the school in the right direction, slowly but steadily. When problems have come up she's resolved them in a fair and reasonable manner.If you're considering the school at all, I highly encourage you to check it out in person. There's also a nice group of parents who were very welcoming in the schoolI think there's a disgruntled (former) teacher or staff member that just doesn't get that they didn't fit in, and that's too bad for them, but their incessant trashing of the school is juvenile . The new teachers and admin staff this year have some interesting backgrounds and seem great.I'm looking forward to another good year.
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2016

West EC is a great school. It has everything I was looking for in a school: good location, great testing scores and very diverse. The staff is excellent and teachers are so dedicated to their student's success. If you are looking for a school that makes you and your child feel welcomed then West EC is for you.
Submitted by other on June 14, 2016

The new principal and PTA president have done a good job improving West in the short term. The staff are diligent in their work and provide a great environment for the children. Looking forward to what the school can do with the recent ESSA legislation to add a GT program. Would certainly attract more high-performing students AND parents.
Submitted by other on May 09, 2016

Great neighborhood school that is a true gem! My daughter is in kindergarten. She has flourished in both reading and math. In fact, she is now above grade level. Her teacher is very vested as well as the school community. There is also good parent involvement. I'm excited to see what lays ahead.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2016

This is definitely a rising school. The new principal (Vroman) is very engaged and enthusiastic. The school has created some new programs in aftercare for a fee (karate and yoga once a week). The culture of the school is very positive and the children are very respectful and kind to each other. It definitely feels like a family community and there's a lot of school spirit. The preschool classes are amazing and the teachers are so enthusiastic and well-trained. I'm very happy my child is there and it's great to be a part of the school and the neighborhood. There's still some work to do regarding renovation, and I'm not sure if the school will be academically challenging enough as we get to the higher grades, but for now it's great. I really hope to see the test scores of this school rise in a couple of years.
Submitted by teacher on May 27, 2015

Teachers are professionals and should be treated as such. However, in this environment that seldom occurs. Teachers are treated worse than the children. A good leader knows how to command respect and attention from the people their subordinates. However, the principal at this school does not fit the definition of a good leader. She yells at and demeans staff on a consistent basis creating an untenable work environment.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2015

Overall, we're happy with the school. We had a couple of concerns going in that turned out to be no big deal. First, we were concerned about how the middle school grade kids would be around the early childhood kids. It turns out that they're almost never around each other because of the way the school is laid out. And when they are, the middle school kids are really great - like in mentor programs. Second, we were concerned about the "open classroom" layout, until we saw the school in action. The classrooms are set apart from each other, just not completely closed off. But the noise levels are fine, and don't seem to be a distraction from classes. I think any other issues we've had have been pretty routine, and the school has been good about working with us. I also get a great feeling from the other parents - it's a really nice / genuine vibe.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2015

In terms of the good, aside from a few favorite teachers that have left over the years, I have had a positive experience with early childhood at West. I get the sense that most of the posters preceding me can echo this sentiment. The teachers and aides work hard, and the specials teachers are great. In the early years, I do appreciate the smaller community feeling. In terms of the bad: I think that the previous posts match many of the conclusions that I've come to when it comes to staff turnover. For 2013, the DCPS site says that only 3/4 of the school's "effective teachers remained, well below even the DCPS average. Add teachers in the developing range of the district's (imo flawed) rating system, and it's easy to believe that nearly half of the staff chose to leave. A look at West s site confirmed to me that this year saw new faces for PK3, K, 4, 5, 6, and 4/5 middle school teachers. The principal has enthusiasm, but I also know that leadership means inspiring and developing your team. While I really want West to succeed and grow, I can't ignore the fact that this reality troubles me as I consider my family's future with the school beyond the primary years.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

One of the things I love about West is that it IS a small school. Even though my son is in kindergarten, all of the teachers know him and interact with him. Principal Caruthers is incredibly energetic, and she sets a great tone for the school. We have a wonderful art teacher. And, our current PSCO leadership is doing great things for the school. West very much has a "family" feeling to it and that makes it a great place to be.
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2015

My family has been at West forever - through good and bad. Right now I'm excited to say that we are on a definite upswing. Parental involvement (which is one of the biggest keys to success at any school) is growing rapidly, the curriculum is evolving to exceed standards set nationwide, and the staff are wonderful. I've read through the other reviews, and do see some things that distress me, however I can honestly say that those opinions are the definite minority. I strongly encourage you to come and visit anytime.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

I live in the neighborhood and was really keen to support a local DCPS but like many, was skeptical about the quality of education and nervous about having our PK3 child with older students. After almost 8 months at school, our son is thriving and I have been impressed by his teachers and the care and interest they have in him and the variety of activities he has been exposed to. The school keeps the little children very separate from the older ones and the older kids I have met have been very respectful and a credit to the school. Principal Caruthers, is really working hard to make the school one of the top elementarys in DC and she has strong support from the staff and parents. The building definitely needs modernizing but the school is working with DC govt to ensure that happens. I would encourage any prospective parent to visit and speak with other parents to see for yourself.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

West is really a great school. The principal Ms. Caruthers is energetic and pushes to get resources - exactly what you want to see in a DC administrator. The teachers we have had are really amazing - warm and caring, resourceful and smart. Our daughter loves the school. It is truly a great learning environment. To top it off, there is a very involved group of parents who are forming the basis for a really good neighborhood school. We love West.
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2015

West has been a great school for us. We strongly support the Principal and her strong vision and energy. Our child's teachers have been excellent the past three years. We love being able to walk to school and participate in after school activities easily. Our child is thriving there and we are friends with many parents and teachers. Support your local DC Public School- we have a while community working to make West the best it can be!
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2015

Our Daughter has attended West for the last four years and I would definitely recommend others consider attending. All of her teachers have been excellent. She has attended the school's aftercare program and they have also helped her develop very well both socially and academically. The principal has vision and the competence to achieve it. The parents are supportive and engaged. I'm looking forward to our child continuing her success after the preparation she is getting here.
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2014

We feel so fortunate to be part of the West community. Our son is currently in PK3 and is absolutely thriving. We adore his preschool teachers who have created a wonderful learning environment for his class. The class takes field trips, explores different themes through projects, books, art classes and fun family projects. We love the Principal and feel lucky that so many teachers throughout the school know my son--which adds to the family feeling. We definitely encourage other families to come to West, a best kept secret in DCPS!
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2014

Our experience at West has been great. As parents interested in a good learning and safe environment, we looked at the school prior to making a decision to move into the area. The teachers are attentive, caring, and vested in each child s day. The environment is one of learning and the neighborhood is quiet and safe. Teachers welcome parent support and communicate with us frequently (emails, texts and notes in our child s folder). There is a good group of parents who are interested in building and strengthening the school and improving what is already in place. Even as relative newcomers, they have been very welcoming and inclusive. The principal, Ms. Caruthers, and staff are clearly dedicated to ensuring West delivers a good experience. To the person that indicated that parent involvement was incredibly horrible I m not sure what meetings you were going to. Perhaps a meeting had a small group show up, but that isn t normal, and many more people are helping that don t make it to every meeting. To future and current parents of West, it is easy to volunteer and help out in any school, all you have to do is reach out and share what you are interested in taking on.