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Lowell School

1640 Kalmia Road NW Washington, DC 20012

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 293 students
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 5
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
Lowell School Photo #1 - We believe that when students are allowed to play an active role in their education and have voice and choice, learning is deeper and more inspired, and it will carry them into high school, college, and beyond as community-driven citizens, ready to improve the future for everyone.
Lowell School Photo #2 - An intentionally designed high school admissions program challenges 8th graders to be active participants and leaders in the research and application process. Lowell graduates go on to attend a variety of top high school programs across the DMV.
Lowell School Photo #3 - Starting in Pre-Primary School, library time is a core part of students' learning.
Lowell School Photo #4 - Whether they are 2.5 or in 8th grade, Lowell's math program simultaneously meets students where they are and challenges them to reach their highest possible ambitions.
Lowell School Photo #5 - Starting in 1st grade, students regularly participate in swimming lessons as a part of their PE class.
Lowell School Photo #6 - Art, music, theater, and dance play a role in every student's Lowell experience.
Lowell School Photo #7 - Lowell students don't just learn about social justice and the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; they live it every day, inside and outside of the classroom.
Lowell School Photo #8 - Lowell's Main Building, nestled among our 8 campus acres, houses the Primary School. Middle School and Pre-Primary School each have dedicated spaces.
School location map

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 293 students
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 5
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
Students By Grade
Year Founded
1965
Last Day of School
Thu. Jun 10, 2027
Campus Size
8 acres
School Motto
Think critically. Engage purposefully. Live authentically.

Student Body

Total Students
293 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
28%
State avg.: 49%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
63 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.:
Average Class Size
16 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
List of Courses Offered

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
Jan. 5
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $44,500 for Pre-Primary School to $55,500 for Middle School.
% on Financial Aid
33%
Admissions Director
Tanya Espy-Disparti
Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered
8 sports
Colors
Green
School Mascot
Leopard

School Notes

  • Founded in 1965, Lowell School is a co-ed progressive school serving students from 2.5 years old through 8th grade. Our beautiful and serene 8.5-acre campus serves as the backdrop for a community where all are welcome.
  • Lowell is where progressive education prepares students for high school and challenges them to hold themselves and others to the highest ambitions and ideals throughout life. Learning is active, inquiry is expected, growth is real, progress is measured, and expectations are high. Always.
  • At every stage of development, our students are encouraged to explore the highest levels of subject matter as they learn through an inquiry-based, hands-on, and meaningful curriculum. When they graduate, our students enter high school as intelligent, community-driven citizens, ready to improve the future for everyone.
  • We're here for the challenge, here for the progress, here for the expertise, here for the ambitions. Lowell is here for it all.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are Lowell School often compared to?
Lowell School is often viewed alongside schools like Sheridan School by visitors of our site.
What sports does Lowell School offer?
Lowell School offers 8 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Soccer, Swimming and Track and Field.
When is the application deadline for Lowell School?
The application deadline for Lowell School is Jan. 5.
In what neighborhood is Lowell School located?
Lowell School is located in the Colonial Village neighborhood of Washington, DC.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (11 reviews)
5  
I have two children at Lowell School, one started in Pre-Primary and both are currently in Primary and Middle School respectively. Both my kids have thrived here. Talented teachers and staff really know and respect my children, and I think they are becoming more well-rounded and thoughtful people are a result of their school experience. I wish I'd had a Middle School experience like my child is having at Lowell -- they really understand 6th-8th graders. It's both rigorous and supportive.
- Posted by
5  
When my sons were young all I wanted was to let them be children. I also wanted the miracle of a school that provided an enriching environment, understood who each of them was, and encouraged them to be the best they could be. I never thought a school like that existed, especially after giving our local public elementary a try. Luckily, we found Lowell. Lowell is a school that knows each one of my very different sons and inspires him to push his own boundaries. After 8 years, now with two middle schoolers and one alum, I see what the foundation of a Lowell education can do for young men. My sons are empathetic, sincere, and thoughtful. Top that with the fact that they are also completely prepared for the academic rigors that high schools in the DMV area require, and you have the right school for every child. I consider my sons' Lowell education the greatest gift I have ever given them.
- Posted by
5  
Lowell was an awesome place to learn! It allowed me to totally be myself while at the same time encouraged me to "lean into discomfort" and grow. I am thankful for the wonderful and caring teachers.
- Posted by
5  
Lowell has been been an amazing place for my three boys. It is the perfect mix of academic rigor and a caring, inclusive environment. We've seen the school evolve over the last eight years, as the middle school ramped up to full capacity and the school increased its focus on academic rigor and preparedness for high school. We've also seen a tremendous growth of the athletic and arts/music programs, another sign of enthusiasm, engagement, and balance across the student body. Our boys started out in DC Public Schools, but the switch to Lowell was life-changing for them and their development.
- Posted by
5  
All three of my children started Lowell at age three; my oldest is now in 5th grade. In our eight years at Lowell we have gotten to know nearly every faculty and staff member at the school, and we Iook forward to getting to know the team in the upper grades soon. All the amazing people at Lowell are truly my favorite part. They make each day a positive experience for the students. The children are truly known, supported and celebrated by every adult on campus. Whether it is a member of the facilities and maintenance team cheering as third graders raise the flags out front every day, or a member of the finance office singing silly songs with preschoolers while he escorts them from the school bus to their classrooms. Lowell demonstrates in everything they do that each individual is to be valued and respected. My kids LOVE all of their teachers; classroom, specialty (art, PE, etc), coaches - everyone. I know there are many great teachers in the world, and other great schools in our area, but I truly believe that my dollars go to a very special day to day experience for my children, and there is no where else I want them to have their day to day experiences. I feel my kids are safe, loved, encouraged, and challenged. I also know that the adults at Lowell show them all day long how people should be treated. I know of no better role models than the ones at Lowell. It truly is a warm and exciting place to be.
- Posted by
5  
My child is a better, more well-rounded person because of his many years at Lowell. The school teaches him that he is part of a global culture, where differences are welcomed and celebrated. This is incorporated into every aspect of the challenging curriculum. Neither is sacrificed for the other. Importantly, because of the low adult to child ratio, Lowell is able to meet every child where they are at any given point in time. When my son was having trouble learning to spell, he was given supplemental assistance with this skill until it was no longer an issue. At the same time, because he was advanced in math, he was given more challenging assignments and encouraged to work ahead, which he loved.
- Posted by
5  
Our family has been part of the Lowell community for thirteen years, and we continue to be amazed by the consistently high level of programming the school delivers year after year. Lowell`s curriculum is cutting-edge, thoughtfully intergrated, and offers hands-on experiential learning that resonates deeply with students and ignites a true love of learning. Couple this with the knowledgeable and deeply invested faculty, the warm and affirming parent community, the school`s deep commitment to seeking and maintaining a broadly diverse student body and staff, and the beautiful 8 acre campus and you have a winning formula.
- Posted by
5  
We chose Lowell in Kindergarten after sending my girls to PK at NCRC and ALG and it was a perfect fit. Each has become her own version of a strong and compassionate independent learners whose academic skills are honed by 2 full time instructors per class plus the specialized instructors for science, art, dance, PE and music. The campus is beautiful (former womens college) with a lot of light and room for kids to learn. Our 8th graders move on to be accepted by at least one of their top two choices for private and elite public high schools. Win-win.
- Posted by
5  
Our family has been a part of the Lowell Family since 1999. Lowell has certainly grown over the years but what has remained the same is that the campus is beautiful, the teachers are supportive, the programs are engaging and the "Lowell Way" still develops students who are life-long learners!Educational Excellence Redesigned, for sure!
- Posted by
5  
We have had an amazing experience at Lowell. The environment they have created allows kids to take risks and be heard. 5 Stars is not enough to express how much my kid loves Lowell.We chose Lowell School for our African-American son several years ago for their stated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion...period. Over the years, Lowell has demonstrated that he and other children of Color matter in our community.We fell in love with the ideals of a progressive education model because they focused on the whole child. His teachers give him a safe place to express his thoughts and let him flourish as a student. The character building lessons Lowell employed when he was 3 years old have followed him to date at 3rd grade. He continues to use all of the strategies to helped him solve social and emotional issues, contribute during class discussions, chose to be a leader among his friends all while being a thoughtful person. My son loves to go to school...not always the school work, but absolutely loves being a student at Lowell and I hear the same sentiment from other parents about their kids too. Imagine a school where children loved to be and hated to leave....that`s my experience of Lowell School.
- Posted by
5  
We love this place! Lowell offers a warm, supportive environment with a research-based approach to learning and teachers attuned to the needs of each individual child. The teachers truly care. One example: My daughter was sad to leave first grade at the end of the year because she would miss seeing her teacher over the summer. So the teacher exchanged letters with her all summer long! On top of that -- the campus has lots of tree-filled outdoor space for both learning and play. My child has loved the opportunities to play school-sponsored sports starting in K (plus there is a pool on campus). And we felt warmly welcomed into the parent community. Lowell is a real gem.
- Posted by

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Washington, DC is $29,456 for elementary schools and $36,096 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Washington, DC is 50% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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