This year, with new and additional student group data for at-risk and not at-risk students published by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, it was possible to gain a more robust sense of socioeconomic gaps within DC. We analyzed the new DC School Report Card and found 13 schools serving high proportions of priority students where academic growth exceeds growth among non-at-risk students without disabilities at DC's lowest poverty schools. These schools were on pace to close the achievement gap in 5 years.
We met with each school's leaders and teachers, and our team identified three commitments all of the schools make in order to move the growth needle forward for all students.
Bold Growth Schools:
• Use data and information in frequent and intentional ways, focused on continuous improvement
• Increase collaboration within the classroom and school as well as across schools
• Ensure students are ready to learn by setting high expectations and creating a warm social-emotional environment
Related research from EmpowerK12
Report · October 2026DC Bold Performance Schools Report 202621 elementary and middle schools where students from priority groups beat expectations by more than 10 points, and the ten practices of Bold Schools from ten years of interviews.
Report · October 2025DC's 2025 Bold Performing Schools16 DC schools recognized as Bold Performance Schools, with proficiency rates about 19.5 points above schools serving similar students, and the educators leading them.
Brief · November 2024DC's Bold Performing Schools break barriers and exceed expectations12 DC schools with proficiency rates about 13.5 points above similar-serving schools, and the educators leading them.