Whittier Education Campus

6201 5th Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20011

School District

District Of Columbia Public Schools
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:8
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 December 16, 2024

First, the characterization is wrong. I saw something above that 100% of the family are eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch. That designation is only because it's a Title 1 school. Whittier's community is FAR more diverse socioeconomically, yet still very welcoming. It's fantastic that this school is ranked 3rd in the growth of elementary schools in DPS because it is a very welcoming environment for students with disabilities. So, the numbers don't tell the whole story. I would visit the school's social to understand the culture. The PTO has a heavy advocacy bent that may be a little offputting, but there are many incredible opportunities/activities for kids at Whittier. Someone should update their profile because There are over 50 clubs for kids to join. (newspaper, journalism, chess, maker space, plays, math club, poetry, soccer, adv. reading, Chinese, etc.)
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2023

Whittier is a real gem. We are moving into our second year there and we love it. Their staff and teachers are diligent, kind and committed. There is a culture id accountability and enthusiasm. There is also a host of ways for students to feel a part of the school. School plays and team sports. They have a tv show that is really quite good and the students love it. Chess club and a community garden are just two of the fun offerings. Principal Johnson leads with joy and integrity. She knows every student by name and finds ways to cheer for her team. We love it.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2023

Our daughter is returning for Pre-K4 at Whittier and we can’t say enough glowing things about this school. It’s the best. Have to start with school leadership (Principal Johnson and AP Wiley: excellent leaders and great communicators — engaged, responsive, somehow know every kid by name (!) — they create a very strong sense of community that starts at the top. Teacher caliber: you can’t beat it. It’s a a school that clearly values its people and you see that in the tenure, experience, and extremely high caliber of teachers here. Consistently shocked (in a positive way!) by what our kid has learned here — reading, communication skills, STEM, hands on school gardening/food program, theater, Spanish, PE, not to mention a weekly farm stand! The teachers are second to none here. Not only are the academic standards high, but the teachers instill an astounding sense of community, effective communication, and fun in their classrooms. Just outstanding. You’re not getting this high level of teacher quality at many other schools because not everywhere values it’s hard working teachers like Whittier does. The community is another gem: multicultural, warm, welcoming. An idyllic environment for childhood and learning. Very strong, active, strategic PTO has been another big plus. In our second year we feel very confident that Whittier will give our kid the skills and toolkit she needs to be a well prepared student who loves to learn, an engaged member of her community, and equipped with strong social emotional skills for life.
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2023

Our daughter just finished up her first year at Whittier (PK3) and we can’t say enough about how great the teachers and staff were throughout the year. We were really pleased by how much more comfortable are daughter became in socializing with others and were blown away by how much she learned, particularly phonetics. We are also grateful to have met an incredible community of parents.
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2023

I can’t say enough positive things about Whittier. My child just attended her first year as a PK3 student and we were so pleased with the quality education and excellent care she received from her teachers and the administrators alike. The student body for her class and grade level was extremely diverse, the STEM curriculum was very age appropriate (though we are always pleasantly impressed by her coming home to talk about “photosynthesis and chlorophyll”!) Whittier is also a DCPS green school which means they do a very good job at sustainability. The principal is extremely communicative, puts students first, not to mention how active and activated the PTO and school community is. Takoma families really rock in terms of how diverse, socially conscientious, and involved they are, I’d highly recommend this hidden gem in DC!
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2016

Whittier is a great school Ms. Bennett is very warming and a very pleasant person. Mr. Medley is my kids favorite teacher along with Ms. Camp and Mr. Blackett. Ms. AP Johnson is the best. I am happy that all my kids have attended this school.
Submitted by other on August 25, 2016

My son had a great year last year and is off to a fast start this year in kindergarten. The staff has been extremely responsive to suggestions and supportive of all types of families. Most of the students live in the immediate neighborhood, giving the school a strong community feel; it's common to run into friends at the playground and out and about. Teachers do an excellent job of helping each child develop at their own speed. I'm looking forward to the establishment of a new middle school for northern Ward 4 to provide a stronger program for 6-8th grade, and to feed a modernized Coolidge in several years. The schools in this part of DC are definitely on an upward trajectory and we are excited to be a part of it!
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2015

My daughter has been going to this school since pre-k. Whittier gets an "A" in my opinion solely due to the line up of awesome teachers! From Mrs. Bacon, Mrs Branch, Mrs Gilliam, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Stripling, Mrs. Lewis, to Mrs. Mann, all of these teachers have shown nothing but dedication, patience, and professionalism. I'm tremendously proud to say that I have a child at Whittier Education Campus getting her education.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2014

Whittier Education Campus is a wonderful school! I am so EXCITED about my child's education at Whittier Education Campus. The staff (Ms. Bennett) is so warm and welcoming! The staff is very knowledgable and excited about the school, the student's education, and their academic program; that is a trait that should be at every school and in the heart of every person working with children but that would only be in a perfect world. So if you are interested in those traits, you should definitely visit Whittier Education Campus! I LOVE THE POSITIVE LOVING ATMOSPHERE!!!!! I cannot wait for 2014-2015 school year! Whittier Education Campus is preparing our future generation to make a positive impact to society!
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2010

I liked the school better when it was a true elementary, grades Prek-6. There's no separation between the older kids and they are not the best influence on the younger kids. Both my kids attend the school and I'm considering transfer because I dont want their growth hendered by all the language and behavior seen from the older kids. The school is going to reconstuction and I'm not sure if it will be done by time the 10/11 school year starts. That is poor timing/planning on part of administration. The education is good depending on the teacher, because not all teacher seem to have the same level of care and expectation for the students.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2009

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Submitted by parent on March 14, 2008

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