Key Elementary School

5001 Dana Place Northwest

Washington, DC 20016

School District

District Of Columbia Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
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 October 26, 2021

We have two children at Key and have had a very positive experience. The academics are good, but could be more rigorous. Overall, it is a wonderful neighborhood school with a welcoming community.
Submitted by parent on July 19, 2021

The teachers are committed and enthusiastic. It's been great for my kids and I've enjoyed the community of parents and teachers at the school.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2019

We left this school owing to all the above factors. It really lends itself to a pseudo upper class fraternity crowed.
Submitted by other on May 22, 2015

Just awful. The parents here are vicious and will do anything to advance their child over others. Helicopterism and competitiveness abound. Very little community spirit here in the Land of NIMBY. Spoiled child and adult bullies abound. We are so thankful to have gotten away from this miserable place.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2014

Key balances the tests with the independent creative learning and style of each teacher. There is nothing typical or cookie cutter about this school or their teachers. Key is a gem of a school on a little hill. I wish it went on through middle and high school.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2014

This is not a Blue Ribbon school. Period. (If you come from another state or country, just compare it to the best schools there and you'll end up agreeing. DC parents have lower perceptions of quality.) This is a test-taking factory. The principal may be organized, but he is an extremely weak academic leader. There is no common vision or plan for improving teaching. The curriculum more often than not defaults to pre-packaged worksheets and test preparation drills. Poor learning disabilities and ESL support. Most teachers teach the same things year-after-year and seem more intent on getting home or to their side-job rather than developing deep learning activities. We were very disappointed. You'd do better at Janney, Mann, Eaton, or Lafayette.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

Key is arguably the best public elementary school in DC. The teachers are outstanding and take great care in attending to the needs and education of their students. Plus, it is small compared with other excellent DCPS elementary schools. The parent body is very active and involved, raising money for aids, and playground equipment, expanded library and more. The principal is committed to his team and does an excellent job maintaining an outstanding public school. Our family has spent 8 years collectively at Key with 2 students, and both had an excellent experience. It is truly a "neighborhood" school where people look out for each other's kids, and it is a warm and close-knit community. My older child who has already graduated was well prepared for private middle school afterwards. We love Key!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2013

Key School is a happy place, and I think that is the best thing you could say about an elementary school. I've had two kids now, go all the way through. 2/3 teachers are excellent, and the rest are fine. The principal is a true leader. Many public schools have the same fault, that they are geared toward moving the middle, rather than the top or the bottom, and I suppose Key has this flaw. If your child goes from Key to a rigorous school, some parents complain that Key did not prepare them. Not only have I been happy with Key School, but I'm jealous of it. I wish I had gone to a school like this for K-5. It's a very good school, and a great community. Your child will love it. I found it to be very welcoming, and they had many opportunities to not welcome me.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2012

Key School can be a great school for children that do not have learning differences and that fit into "the box". There are some fabulous and very committed teachers here. If your child has moderate learning differences, like both of ours do, it was our expericence that Key School was not equipped to meet their needs. The IEP process was ineffective and did not provide our children with the necessary resources they needed to succeed. When the IEP was written, it is weak and lacking substance. Confidence and self esteem took a huge hit with both of our children. It was challenging to get them back on track and even more difficult to reingnite their love of learning and of school. If your child has learning differences and you choose to place your child at Key School, my advice is to hire a special education consultant who can guide and direct the IEP process with you to make sure that your child is getting as much support as possible.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2011

This school did not live up to its expectations. This school is completely run by the parents. The principal is very committed to parent involvement but gives the parents whatever they want without being objective to the current situation. This school (parents) is not very welcoming to new parents and has a hard time integrating different cultures into their school community. I am a very involved parent within the classroom and the PTO. The students can be very rude and mean to their peers and the teachers picks their consequences based on the relationship they have with the child and their parent. If you are looking for an objective school were the best interest of your child is a priority then the Key school may not be for you. On a positive note the curriculum seems to be a lacking substance but my child is learning, which makes me happy. I truly like the daily structure of the classes to keep the students in engaged and interested in learning. All in all I just wish the leadership at the school would spend more time protecting the students and less time trying to be best friends with the parents.
Submitted by parent on December 22, 2010

Great school - the principal is incredibly committed and open to parent involvement. Teachers are amazing.
Submitted by teacher on September 30, 2009

N/A