The latest American Community Survey (ACS) estimates a much higher share and number of District children enrolled in private school (nursery school through grade 12) compared to earlier years. The ACS estimated with 90% confidence that 23% of students in this grade range were enrolled in private schools in 2022 compared to 14% in 2021 and 16% in 2019. The estimated number of students enrolled in private school is similary large as well, 22,881 students in 2022 compared to 13,718 in 2021. This large estimated increase for 2022 should be reviewed with caution and compared to the 2023 estimate when available.
Estimated Private School Enrollment Nursery School through 12 Grade 2010 to 2022
Source: US Census Bureau Decennial Census (2010) and American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates (2011-2022)
The number and share of private school students varies by ward. The five-year American Community Survey estimates that 45% or 5,127 nursery school/preschool through grade 12 students living in Ward 3 attended private school. This number continues to be substantially higher than all other wards. The next highest number of private school students lived in Ward 4 at 2,659 students or 16% of those living in the ward. The estimated share of private school students in other wards ranges from 17% in Ward 1 to 10% in Wards 7 and 8.
Estimated Private School Enrollment Nursery School through 12th Grade by Ward
5 Year Average (2018-2022)
Source: US Census Bureau Decennial Census (2010) and American Community Survey, 5 Year Estimates (2018-2022)
