Eaton Elementary School

Posted: February 7, 2026

We moved back from Europe specifically so our children could attend Eaton Elementary.
The recent renovations have created a beautiful, modern learning environment, but what truly makes Eaton outstanding is the people. The teachers are skilled, caring educators who know each child as an individual. The staff are warm and competent, creating a supportive atmosphere throughout the building. The afterschool program is well run and very convenient.
The parent community is equally impressive. Families are engaged and supportive, and the HSA goes above and beyond to enrich the school experience through their dedication and hard work.
Our children are thriving here in every way—academically, socially, and emotionally. Eaton is everything we hoped for in an elementary school and more. We couldn't recommend it more highly.

Posted: February 7, 2026

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Posted: November 4, 2022

Based on our recent personal experience and conversations with some of the parents, Eaton Elementary is not best suited for children with special needs. Evaluations were taking a long time; there were examples of special needs children being bullied by their peers, and the LEA Representative was often inaccessible.

I must say that we had a wonderful experience with other children and parents. The occupational therapist was great, very devoted, and S&L therapist and psychologist were fine too.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there was shockingly unethical behavior of the general education teacher and LEA Representative, which should have led to a disciplinary action. It is unfortunate that such unreliable persons found their place in Eaton.

Posted: November 4, 2022

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Posted: December 10, 2019

Great elementary school with fantastic teachers, staff and a wonderful parent community. The "learning cottages" look like Swiss chalets and are very nice! They organized several busses in the morning and afternoon between them and the "old" school location.

The Christmas tree sale is also very convenient. They have good pine trees (fraser fir and another kind), wreaths and a few accessories at good prices.

Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 10, 2019

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Posted: December 10, 2019

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: December 9, 2017

My daughter goes to eaton and she loves this school! Great before and after care program for working parents, strong community feeling, and supportive staff and teachers. We love John Eaton.

Posted: December 9, 2017

Posted: June 13, 2017

My daughter is heartbroken that she won't be in Ms. Thompson's class after kindergarten promotion tomorrow. She cried and said emphatically, "Ms. Thompson is SUCH A GOOD TEACHER!" I agree. I had reservations about taking her out of the exclusive private school she attended previously, but I have no regrets. Great teachers, active parents, well run and reasonably priced before/aftercare. Regular field trips. Nice, diverse group of kids make up the student body.

Posted: October 8, 2013

John Eaton is a world heritage school. This means they have a grant to incorporate international culture into their curriculum. They are building a globally minded student body early on, by intergrtaing world cultures into the learning experience. With Americans being in general terms being so insular, this global mindset is essential for allowing our children to grow into cultural sensitive, and competitive in global economy we live in. John Eaton also boasts a diverse economic and ethnic population with dozens of languages spoken. Additionally Mandarin is offered to all the students starting in pre-K. Teachers and staff are caring and the principal Mr. Mann is very engaged and responsive. Additionally, John Eaton has very active parent involment that is constantly putting on events and creating a community. I feel so lucky that my son Gabriel is able to go to such an amazing public school and would recommend it to everyone.

Posted: July 23, 2013

The best part of this school is the principle! his interaction with the kids is above and beyond. He sets high standards for the teachers. The staff not only teach education but they work on manners and your character. I am VERY sad my daughter will no longer be attending Eaton and I and for every grateful for what you have taught her and the experience you provided her.

Posted: July 21, 2013

I agree with many of the comments, but the fact is that Eaton could be a much stronger school academically. It lags significantly behind its peer schools (Janney, Mann, Lafayette Murch) not only in test scores, but in enrichment opportunities. I think that diversity is quite important, but the most emphasis should be placed on academic quality. At times there has been an undercurrent among some parents that Eaton is "good enough" and concern that it not become too attractive to the surrounding neighborhood (where privates still draw a number of students), lest population from outside the school's neighborhood be reduced. (This of course, is not valid, since all existing students and families are grandfathered, no matter whether in-boundary enrollments fluctuates short term.) Finally, Easton needs to get serious about school modernization. While the school site is too small to grow the school, the physical plant is in need of serious modernization. One, small all-purpose room serves all school needs. For some reason, Eaton keeps falling behind in the school modernization queue, and for whatever reason neither parents nor the school administration wants to make waves.

Posted: April 15, 2013

I relocated with my two children from the west coast. I was on edge thinking how my son will react to a new school and setting. It was the best for my son. I dont know why I didnt do it sooner.:-) We were welcomed with open arms by the principal and the staff. My sons teacher is the best!

Posted: February 26, 2013

We moved from CT and had 30 days to find a school for my kindergartener. DCPS was very helpful explaining what schools had foreign language programs, etc. We chose Eaton b/c of the Chinese program and the brilliant diversity of the student body. My son is now in first grade and we are so satisfied on so many levels. The teachers, Principal, and Vice-Principal are insightful, dedicated and creative, everyone is accepting and there is positive energy every day. My son is now a happy first grade student and is getting a wonderful foundation that he will carry through life.

Posted: October 21, 2011

Eaton has a new principal as of Fall 2011 and he is doing things well so far, having replaced the principal spoken so highly of in previous reviews. We feel really lucky to have gotten into Eaton. The racial diversity of the student body is very balanced and this is rare in DC for any school. A large number of out-of-boundary children means that it enrolls children from all over the city--so it's diverse in that way too. The architectural floor plan places 4-6 classrooms off of each common area, so even though it has 400+ children, every area of the school feels intimate. Perhaps as a result, it feels much more like a private school: the kids seem to feel ownership and connection to the place. The current climate among teachers is collaborative, which is a great indicator of both morale and professionalism. Our son came from a tiny Montessori and we were worried he might feel overwhelmed and put off by the institutional aspects of DCPS. This has not been the case; he loves going to school there. He is too young and has not been there long enough to assess academics, but I believe a healthy school culture is key to a school's success and Eaton has surpassed our expectations.

Posted: June 2, 2011

My son went to John Eaton thiry years ago and the comments are the still the same. The only thing that has changed are the new staff members. He received a foundation that was better than the Catholic school that his brother had attended. I am still proud of John Eaton. If they follow their students, they will find that almost a hundred percent of them are successful.

Posted: January 30, 2011

I'm sure things have changed over the years, but I am a graduate of Eaton ('93) and I believe that I was offered the best public education DC has to offer. Awesome teachers and just a great place to learn.

Posted: May 6, 2010

I think Eaton comes out top in many categories. A principal who is always there, greets parents and students by name,helps to serve breakfast. The school oozes ,.diversity diversity diversity,great HSA and parental involvement,great afterschool program and just wonderful teachers and support staff all around. go Eaton!

Posted: April 28, 2010

Eaton has made both of my boys successful in learning - they both love school.

Posted: April 20, 2010

This is a truly diverse school, with an exciting new focus on world cultures. Four-year-olds learning Chinese...amazing! The Principal, teachers and parents are extraordinarily dedicated to helping every child grow and thrive.

Posted: April 20, 2010

We love the diversity, active parent involvement, the teachers, and the principal. So far, my child has thrived and been very happy.

Posted: April 19, 2010

We love the diversity of the school and the teachers and principal.

Posted: April 18, 2010

It provides exellent programs for kids. Teachers and staff are very professional. Its a Unique Elementary school in DC.

Posted: April 18, 2010

We love John Eaton because of the teachers, principal, administrative staff, JEAP program and staff, and the wonderful parents. Everyone seems truly dedicated to the children and to creating a safe and fun learning environment.

Posted: April 18, 2010

Terrific group of very dedicated staff and parents

Posted: April 18, 2010

My grandson Nilo attends and loves the school, so I support it.

Posted: April 17, 2010

When my child's Pre-K school was closed at the end of his first year, I looked into private schools and was informed about this little treasure called John Eaton. I have to say that in hindsight, my son's school closure has been the best thing that has happened to us because he is now truly a part of a 'COMMUNITY' that really encourages education through the best channels possible. While the first year of my son's school life was very different, I know that we have found an education home for him and one that seeks to ensure that he receives the best education possible in order to ensure that he continues to grow academically. The things that he took away in his first year (now in his second) are priceless and it is truly an atmosphere where we all work together to ensure our students have the best!

Posted: April 16, 2010

Eaton is a great school! It's led by a great principal who is very thoughtful and caring. The staff, parents and community do an excellent job of providing a wonderful learning environment that is challenging and fun.

Posted: April 16, 2010

Committed and creative teachers, a principal who celebrates the teachers and students while always trying to improve the school, a student body diverse in every way imaginable, and a supportive and active school community.

Posted: April 16, 2010

Diversity of student body and teachers, caring staff (principal and teachers) who are dedicated to students.

Posted: April 16, 2010

**** This is an excellenbt urban elementary school. A dedicated group of teachers and a superb principal, with a diverse and caring set of families, make this school a real gem in NW DC. We have a number of international families here, and a brand new, beautifully landscaped playground area.

Posted: April 16, 2010

Eaton Elementary is one of those rare successes where dedicated and extraordinary staff, fully engaged parents, and excellent leadership have come together to create a learning environment that not only promotes achievement, but is truly unique. There is no other public school in the country where kindergartners are learning Chinese and 4th graders win city-wide science fairs.

Posted: April 16, 2010

Eaton is just a special place - you feel it the moment you walk in the doors. There is just great morale among everyone - principal, teachers, staff, parents and students. It's urban and it's just the right size (400 students from pre-K -5). The kids get a great education, a great base for the challenges of middle school.

Posted: April 16, 2010

Great teachers and principal. A diverse student population. Very involved parents.

Posted: April 16, 2010

A true community where learning and achievement are fostered with great attention to the individual needs and talents of each student.

Posted: April 15, 2010

Eaton is a wonderfuly diverse community. The children are clearly the top priority and the Principal is an instructional leader who fosters trust and collabortive efforts amongst the staff. My children have truly benefited from this school.

Posted: April 15, 2010

The caring teachers, they will go out of their way to see to it that a child learns, and that the parent is up to date on their childs progress.

Posted: April 15, 2010

Sound academics, nurtures creativity, fabulous teachers, a caring supportive, positive place to be.... Most diverse population in the city.... Love it

Posted: April 15, 2010

Wonderful teachers with excellent leadership in Principal Gartrell. The academic are strong and parents are warmly welcome and encouraged to participate and volunteer. The sense of community in the school is amazing considering that so many of the kids come from neighborhoods spread across the city.

Posted: April 15, 2010

Eaton is a fabulous school with dedicated and talented teachers, staff, and principal!

Posted: April 15, 2010

Because of it's diversity, excellence in teaching and curriculum, fantastic principal, terrific teachers and admin staff.

Posted: April 15, 2010

The school community is wonderful. The principal is great! very caring and loving school.

Posted: April 9, 2007