Ross Elementary

What Ross Elementary does

Ross Elementary is a public elementary school operated by the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system, located at 1730 R Street NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC. It serves children from Pre-Kindergarten 4 through 5th grade, with approximately 38 staff members including classroom teachers, instructional coaches, special education and English Language Learner support, occupational and speech-language therapists, a school psychologist, librarian, athletics director, and administrative personnel. The school operates from a historic building with a playground and playing field, and participates in the My School DC lottery, accepting both in-boundary and out-of-boundary students through the common lottery system.

The school delivers a comprehensive curriculum built around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) using Stemscopes aligned to Next Generation Science Standards; Humanities integrating literacy and social studies through the Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop model; Mathematics using Eureka Math; Music; Art; Physical Education and Health; and World Language (Spanish). Social-emotional learning is delivered through the Responsive Classroom approach and the teacher-created Peace of Mind curriculum. Enrichment offerings include Chess Club, Coding, Makerspace, Genius Hour, athletics (Cross Country, Track and Field, Archery), and partnerships with the Kennedy Center, Washington Nationals Grand Slam School, RESET, and the DC Youth Orchestra. Student support services include Special Education, ELL, Section 504 accommodations, and Mental Health programs. Digital learning is delivered through the Clever portal integrating Lexia, iReady, SORA, First in Math, and Zearn.

As a DCPS government entity, Ross Elementary does not charge tuition and is funded primarily through DCPS per-pupil allocations. Supplemental funding is raised by the Ross PTA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that must raise more than $155,000 annually for classroom supplies, teacher training, technology, and community support; a suggested family donation of $50/month ($600 annually) is voluntary. The PTA also operates a small online merchandise shop. The school has been recognized as the #1 public elementary school in DC by U.S. News and World Report in 2021 and 2026, and was named a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Distribution and community engagement are driven by the school website, PTA newsletter via Smore, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and a weekly Principal's Bulletin.

Name

Ross Elementary

Legal name

Ross Elementary

Website

https://rosselementary.org

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ross Elementary is a DC public school (DCPS) in Dupont Circle, Washington DC, serving PK4 through 5th grade with ~38 staff. It offers STEM, humanities, arts, athletics, and SEL programs, funded by DCPS allocations and a PTA raising $155,000+ annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary Education (K-12 Public Elementary School)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

Keywords

• Public elementary education
• Primary school instruction
• STEM curriculum
• Social emotional learning
• Student support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: As a DC Public School, Ross Elementary receives government funding through the District of Columbia Public Schools system for operational costs including staffing and basic educational resources.
2. PTA Fundraising: The Ross PTA must raise more than $155,000 annually to provide supplemental support including classroom supplies, teacher training, classroom technology, school-wide events, and need-based community support. The Fall for Ross campaign aims to raise $50,000.
3. Merchandise Sales: The PTA operates an online shop selling Ross apparel and merchandise, with occasional in-person sales during morning drop-off.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ross Elementary is a DC public elementary school that provides free, comprehensive education to children from Pre-Kindergarten 4 through 5th grade in the Dupont Circle area of Washington DC. Its core offering includes core academic programs (Humanities, STEM, Mathematics, Music, Art, World Language/Spanish), Social-Emotional Learning, athletics, and student support services (Special Education, ELL, Mental Health), delivered through a small-class-size model with an active PTA and community partnerships.

Product overview

Ross Elementary is a DC public school serving PK4 through 5th grade, offering a comprehensive elementary education program built around core academic subjects and enrichment offerings. The academic program integrates STEM (using Stemscopes curriculum), Humanities (literacy and social studies through Writer's Workshop), Mathematics (Eureka Math), Music, Art, Health/PE, and World Language (Spanish). Enrichment programs include Athletics (Cross Country, Track, Archery), Chess Club, Library Services, and Social Emotional Learning (Responsive Classroom and Peace of Mind curricula). Student Support Services provide Special Education, ELL, 504 accommodations, and Mental Health services. The school uses the Clever portal to deliver digital learning resources including Lexia, iReady, SORA, First in Math, and Zearn. Ross was named #1 public elementary school in DC by US News and World Report in 2021 and 2026, and was designated a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Academic Program (PK4-5th Grade) Comprehensive elementary education program serving students from Pre-Kindergarten 4 through 5th grade, located in Dupont Circle, Washington DC. Recognized as the #1 public elementary school in DC by U.S. News and World Report in 2021 and 2026.
• STEM Program Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program using Stemscopes curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), featuring hands-on 5E lesson structure (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and engineering design process integration.
• Humanities Program Integrated literacy and social studies curriculum combining reading, writing, and social studies content through real-world experiences and rich complex texts, following the Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop model.
• Mathematics Program Mathematics instruction using Eureka Math curriculum aligned with Common Core State Standards, focusing on developing intentional, flexible, and persistent problem solvers.
• Music Education Music education program focused on fostering lifelong love of music through four pillars: Creating, Performing, Connecting, and Evaluating. Includes Orff instruments, drums, keyboards, and partnerships with the DC Youth Orchestra.
• Athletics Program Athletics program for 4th-5th grade students including Cross Country (Fall), Track and Field (Spring), and Archery (Winter by invitation), competing against other DC schools.
• World Language (Spanish) Program Spanish language instruction for all grade levels, teaching basic concepts and Hispanic culture with weekly classes and Spanish Read Aloud sessions.
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program Social-emotional learning using the Responsive Classroom approach and Peace of Mind curriculum, integrating mindfulness, conflict resolution, and weekly SEL lessons with Kid Connect peer groups.
• Enrichment Programs Before and after-school enrichment offerings including Chess Club (K-5th grade), Spanish language instruction, Makerspace (K-1), Coding Club (2-3), and Genius Hour (4-5).
• Student Support Services Comprehensive support services including Special Education (IEP, Speech-Language, Occupational Therapy), English Language Learner support, Section 504 accommodations, and Mental Health services.
• Library Services School library offering weekly visits for instruction and book checkout, digital citizenship education, research skills, and DC Public Library card integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded #1 public elementary school in DC by US News and World Report
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• oneTILTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartneroneTILT supports Ross in becoming an anti-racist community through providing resources and facilitating important conversations about race, equity, and inclusion.
• Kennedy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kennedy Center partners with Ross to create authentic art experiences in visual, music, and dramatic arts through resident arts programs and field trips. Teaching artists host annual residencies.
• Everybody WinsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree reading-based program providing one-on-one mentors who read to, with, or alongside students to foster relationships and a love of reading.
• Washington Nationals Grand Slam SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoss partners with the Washington Nationals as a Grand Slam School, connecting STEM concepts to the world of baseball through the program.
• RESET (Raising Excited for Science, Engineering, and Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRESET connects students with local scientists and engineers, supporting STEM learning and connecting classroom content to real-world applications outside the school.
• DC Youth Orchestra ProgramminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinates opportunities for students to play band and orchestra instruments through partnership with the DC Youth Orchestra Program.
• Jewish Community Center (JCC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJCC offers traditional and enrichment after-school programming including homework time, swim classes, karate, chess, dance, and science classes. Most vendors offer pickup from Ross.
• Keegan Theater (PRK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers theatrical experiences and creative exploration for young people through classes, camps, and peer-to-peer creative activities.
• Spooky Action TheaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStudents learn to use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to create characters and play improv games.
• National Conservatory of ArtsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntensive piano and orchestral music education program for 1st-8th grade students, meeting five days a week for rapid skill acquisition.
• Anacostia Watershed SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for environmental education. The organization gathers volunteers for watershed cleanup events that Ross families participate in.
• Isabella & Ferdinand (Spanish Language Instruction)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides Spanish language instruction before school, twice weekly from 7:55-8:40 am.
• Zivorad 'Ziko' Djuric (Chess Club)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFIDE Master provides chess instruction. Beginners (K-2nd) meet Mondays, advanced players (3rd-5th) on Fridays, 8:00-8:40 am, at $15 per class.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Mann Elementary School: DCPS elementary school serving a similar gradespan in Washington, DC. Comparable because it draws from the same My School DC lottery pool and operates under the same DCPS funding and regulatory regime as Ross.
• Capitol Hill Montessori @ Logan: DCPS elementary school offering a Montessori curriculum in the Capitol Hill area. Comparable as a DCPS peer that competes for lottery applicants seeking alternative instructional approaches within the public school system.
• Key Elementary School: DCPS elementary school in Northwest DC. Comparable as a DCPS peer operating within the same lottery, curriculum, and funding framework, serving similar PK4–5 student populations.
• Lafayette Elementary School: DCPS elementary school in Northwest DC serving PK4 through 5th grade with a similarly active parent community. Directly comparable because it competes with Ross in the My School DC lottery for the same Dupont Circle-adjacent family demographic.
• Murch Elementary School: Highly regarded DCPS elementary school in Northwest DC with strong academic outcomes and engaged parent base. Comparable because it competes for top lottery applicants and is often mentioned alongside Ross as a leading DCPS elementary option.
• Brent Elementary School: DCPS elementary school in Northeast DC with a strong community-focused mission. Comparable as a DCPS peer competing in the same lottery system and operating under the same funding and curriculum frameworks as Ross.
• Stoddert Elementary School: DCPS elementary school in Northwest DC with an active parent community and similar enrichment programming. Comparable because it competes in the same lottery for the same demographic of DC families seeking top public elementary options.
• Hearst Elementary School: DCPS elementary school with a language-immersion focus serving PK4 through 5th grade. Comparable as a DCPS peer competing for the same lottery families while differentiating on bilingual programming.
• Marie Reed Elementary School: Another DCPS elementary school serving a similar PK4–5th grade population in Washington, DC. Comparable because it operates under the same DCPS funding model, lottery enrollment system, and curriculum standards while competing for the same out-of-boundary family lottery applicants.
• Peabody Elementary School (Capitol Hill): DCPS elementary school serving PK4 through 5th grade in the Capitol Hill area. Comparable as a DCPS peer competing for lottery applicants and operating within the same district curriculum and funding model as Ross.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rossesdc
• Facebookfacebook.com/rosselementaryschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/rossstem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ross-elementary

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ross Elementary