The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Stuart-hobson Ms (capitol Hill Cluster)
Stuart-Hobson Middle School sits on East Street NE in Washington's Capitol Hill neighborhood, part of DCPS's Capitol Hill Cluster and serving the middle grades. The school draws a predominantly Black student body, with a smaller White enrollment and a handful of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Enrollment is modest and spread evenly across the grade levels. Data on free and reduced-price lunch, special education populations, and English learners was not available, so a parent looking for that information would need to contact the school directly.
On the most recent DC state assessments, Stuart-Hobson's English language arts results stand out as a clear strength. Well over half of tested students met or exceeded expectations in ELA, a rate that suggests solid literacy instruction and a student body where reading comprehension is broadly on track. Math results tell a different story. Fewer than a third of students met the proficiency bar in math, which points to a gap between reading and numeracy outcomes at the school. A parent may want to look into how the school supports math instruction and intervention, particularly if their child needs extra help in that subject. Science results, drawn from an earlier testing cycle for eighth grade only, were quite low, with only a small fraction of students reaching proficiency. That figure comes from a different year than the math and ELA data, so direct comparison is imperfect, but it is worth asking the school about science curriculum and support.
Because Stuart-Hobson is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not administer the full range of state tests that elementary and high schools do. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is hard to say whether these proficiency levels represent improvement, decline, or stability. The data also lacked details on course offerings, extracurricular programs, staffing ratios, attendance, and discipline. Parents would get a fuller picture by visiting the school and asking about what the academic program looks like day to day.
The surrounding neighborhood tells its own story. Capitol Hill is one of Washington's older, more established areas, with rowhouses, tree-lined streets, and the U.S. Capitol a short walk away. Housing here is expensive relative to both the national and state benchmarks, with typical home values well above what most American communities see, though values have softened recently. Rents are also high, though they have come down slightly. For a family considering the area, the cost of housing is a real factor, and the gap between renting and owning is wide. The broader city is a federal-government-driven economy, with agencies, embassies, international organizations, and lobbying firms providing much of the employment base. Metro access and walkability are strong in this part of the city.
Within DCPS, Stuart-Hobson operates under several district-wide initiatives that parents should know about. The district has publicly reported a new cell phone policy taking effect this school year, tied to city legislation aimed at reducing classroom distraction, so students can expect phone use to be restricted during the day. DCPS is also working through a multi-year strategic plan focused on academic success, student connectedness, and post-secondary readiness across all its schools. The district recently expanded middle-grade capacity elsewhere in the city with a new addition at Leckie Education Campus, though that does not directly affect Stuart-Hobson's program.
Stuart-Hobson presents a mixed academic picture. Strong ELA results suggest a school where reading is working for a majority of students. Math and science outcomes are weaker, and the absence of trend data makes it hard to judge direction. The Capitol Hill location offers an urban, walkable setting with close proximity to the seat of federal government but high housing costs. Families drawn to a DCPS middle school in this neighborhood will want to ask sharp questions about math support, science instruction, and what the daily program looks like beyond what test scores capture.
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