Serving 599 students in grades 9-12, School Without Walls High School ranks in the top 5% of all schools in District Of Columbia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 19%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 94% (which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 31%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the District Of Columbia state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is lower than the District Of Columbia state average of 87% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 599 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 52%
Graduation Rate
: ≥95% (Top 5% in DC)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 5%
Math Proficiency
: 55-59% (Top 10%)
Reading Proficiency
: 94% (Top 1%)
Science Proficiency
: 30-34% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DC Dept. of Education
School Without Walls High School ranks within the top 5% of all 220 schools in District Of Columbia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of School Without Walls High School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.55. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Without Walls is a small public senior high school in the
Foggy Bottom area of Washington, D.C. It is colloquially referred
to by students and faculty as "Walls." The school is located on the
George Washington University campus, at G and 22nd Streets NW.
Founded in 1971, it provides a challenging academic curriculum and
encourages students to "use the city as a classroom." It is part of
the District of Columbia Public Schools system and draws students
from all parts of the city. Any student interested in applying must
follow an entrance procedure, involving a multiple choice test, a
written essay, an interview, and a report of the applicant's
standardized test scores and grades from previous years.
History: School Without Walls was first established in 1971
as an experimental learning environment. At that point it was just
one small class of students. The program slowly expanded over the
years, growing in the early nineties. In 1978, the school moved to
its current location.
Distinctive Features: School Without Walls attempts to
provide a unique learning environment. The George Washington
University Partnership, examined below, is one manner in which
School Without Walls expands the curriculum of its students.
Additionally, the school uses science labs at the University of the
District of Columbia, has a standing partnership with the Fried,
Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson law firm and an informal
journalism internship program with the George Washington University
student newspaper, the GW Hatchet. The school has in the past
conducted classes at the Smithsonian, the Corcoran, the National
Aquarium, the National Zoo, the Botanical Gardens and other
academic resources available in the city. In doing so, it offers
certain opportunities and privileges not common to other high
schools.
George Washington University Partnership: George Washington
University provides classes free of charge to 100 of the 11th grade
and above students. Students must qualify for courses by taking the
GWU placement test.
Gilder Lehrman Initiative: Beginning in their sophomore
year, students attend trips to sites of historical importance both
locally and beyond the DC area. Gilder Lehrman provides visiting
historians to serve as guest lecturers and seminar leaders. The
Institute further assists with college-placement counseling and
provide Walls students access to the Institute's contacts at
colleges and universities. Students are given opportunities to
interact with their peers enrolled in Gilder Lehrman programs and
schools throughout the country. By providing supplemental resources
books and materials, packages of documents replicated from the
Gilder Lehrman Collection, traveling exhibits from the Institute's
national program of exhibitions on specific themes in American
history, and keepsake documents from the collection, as well as
scholarship opportunities, Gilder Lehrman provides learning
opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable.
In the 2004-2005 school year School Without Walls students took
their first Gilder Lehrman sponsored trip to Williamsburg. This
trip provided a first-hand look at colonial life in America. To
enhance the study of the foundation of American democracy, a visit
to the New York Historical Society gave students an opportunity to
witness the influence of Alexander Hamilton on American government.
The class also takes a spring visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to
expand the study of American History and Culture into the Civil War
period.
Academic Achievements: School Without Walls takes pride in
consistently ranking among the top schools in the DCPS system in
terms of graduation rate, average SAT score, attendance rate and
other academic benchmarks.
Clubs and Activities: Students at School Without Walls are
required to participate in at least one club or activity per year.
Creative
The Enquirer: SWW's newest newspaper, The Enquirer is
probably the best place to get news ever.
Creative Expressions: The Creative Expressions club is a
gathering of students with a variety of artistic interests.
Drama Club: The School Without Walls Drama Club is composed
of students interested in acting.
Social Issues
Men Of Strength (MOST)
Sister Action Sister Strength
Academic
National Society of Black Engineers: The School Without
Walls chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers is
composed of students interested in pursuing a career in
engineering.
Science Bowl / It's Academic: The Science Bowl / It's
Academic team competes in academic competitions.
Environmental Action
SWWTech: SWWTech is a student run organization of techies.
SWWTech provides information technology support to all faculty and
students, runs a portal, manages the library computers, and
provides numerous other tech-related services.
Sporting Achievements: While Walls has a very small pool of
students from which to select its athletes, they do quite well in
many sports, consistently placing 2nd in men's baseball. Finishing
first has been deemed nearly impossible as Woodrow Wilson High
School has won for more than a decade. The women's soccer team has
won the DCIAA season and tournament championships for three years
straight starting in the Fall 2003 Season.
What is School Without Walls High School's ranking?
School Without Walls High School is ranked #7 out of 220 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in District Of Columbia.
What schools are School Without Walls High School often compared to?
School Without Walls High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Benjamin Banneker High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 19% DC state average), while 94% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 31% DC state average).
What is the graduation rate of School Without Walls High School?
The graduation rate of School Without Walls High School is 95%, which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 76%.
How many students attend School Without Walls High School?
599 students attend School Without Walls High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
48% of School Without Walls High School students are White, 25% of students are Black, 11% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are Two or more races, and 7% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of School Without Walls High School?
School Without Walls High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the District Of Columbia state average of 11:1.
What grades does School Without Walls High School offer ?
School Without Walls High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is School Without Walls High School part of?
In what neighborhood is School Without Walls High School located?
School Without Walls High School is located in the Northwest Washington neighborhood of Washington, DC. There are 74 other public schools located in Northwest Washington.
This is a great school! Go there if you want a great experience. The kids have a culture of being respectful and easily making friendships.
- Posted by Teacher - goroc
57/14/2009
School Without Walls has been one of the top schools in the District of Columbia and has not fallen short on any academic aspect it has. Being a former student I thank each and every one of my teachers because they knew exactly how to prepare me for college and now I attend one of the most prestigious universities in the country and I have been thriving because I am so used to the rigorous and challenging academic atmosphere. The school is really an open window to young adults who really want a challenge and even more opportunities. I cannot describe how great the school is. It has so many opportunities and it makes every child that walks through their doors welcomed. However, because this school is challenging I would advise parents to consider putting their child in this school IF THEY ARE PREPARED TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE. I cannot count how many students in the ninth grade were asked to leave to their neighborhood school because they could not reach the expectations the school had for them. It is a great school but do not rush to apply if you know your child is not ready to be mature and academically challenged beyond what is expected out of a regular DCPS student.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - habfa
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Quick Stats (2025)
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 599 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 52%
Graduation Rate
: ≥95% (Top 5%)
Overall Testing Rank
: Top 5%
Math Proficiency
: 55-59% (Top 10%)
Reading Proficiency
: 94% (Top 1%)
Science Proficiency
: 30-34% (Top 20%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), DC Dept. of Education
