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Creative Minds International PCS

Washington, DC 20011

Phone: (202) 588-0370
Fax: (202) 588-0263
District: Creative Minds Pcs

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GreatSchools Rating

charter • Grades PK,KG,1,2,3,4,5,6,7, • 530 students

Creative Minds International PCS, a charter school located in Washington, DC, serves grades PK-8 in the Creative Minds Pcs.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 6 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.

Creative Minds International PCS is a charter school located in Washington, DC. 530 students attend Creative Minds International PCS.

School Ratings

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education data from DC Public Schools.
Student Growth	5/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and using 2025 Percentage of students meeting growth target data from DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

Posted: January 22, 2026

I recently attended a formal meeting with school staff to discuss my sons academic performance and support needs. The meeting included his teachers and the 5th-grade principal. Unfortunately, the tone and conduct of the principal during this meeting were unprofessional, dismissive, and deeply concerning.

Rather than approaching the discussion collaboratively and with a problem-solving mindset, the principal appeared defensive and unwilling to acknowledge the severity of the academic challenges being presented. At one point during the meeting, it was openly stated that all students in the 5th-grade cohort are performing approximately three grade levels behind.

This admission alone should have prompted immediate concern, reflection, and corrective action. Instead, it was presented as though this widespread underperformance was acceptable or unavoidable, which is deeply troubling.
The school has stated that there are two teachers assigned to approximately 16 students in the 5th grade. On paper, this ratio may appear sufficient. However, when the majority of students in the classroom are struggling academically and performing well below grade level, this staffing model is inadequate to meet individual learning needs.
Students with learning disabilities require specialized instruction, differentiated teaching strategies, and consistent progress monitoring. Simply placing two teachers in a room with multiple struggling students does not guarantee effective support especially if neither teacher is providing specialized education services or evidence-based interventions. It is unrealistic to expect that meaningful individualized support can be delivered when nearly every student in the classroom requires remediation. This is not a matter of effort or intention; it is a matter of capacity and structure.
ring the meeting, my son was present and actively participated. He verbally expressed that he needs academic support and clearly identified the subjects in which he strugglesreading, writing, and math. His ability to articulate these challenges demonstrates self-awareness and a desire to succeed.
Despite this, his concerns were minimized. Rather than being validated and addressed with a concrete support plan, his struggles were reframed as issues of confidence rather than skill deficits. While confidence is important, it cannot replace instruction. Confidence is built through mastery, and mastery is achieved through proper teaching, practice, and support.

Posted: January 22, 2026

Posted: September 9, 2025

We really wanted to love this school. Our kids were there from PK36th great. The early years were good, but by middle school things unraveled. Leadership felt weak, academics suffered (one year there was no math teacher for months), and grades were heavily curved. Classes were often unruly, with fights that never seemed to be addressed, which was surprising for such a small school. With constant staff turnover, no real sense of community developed, and diversity dropped off significantly in the middle school. Without a feeder high school, families often leave, adding to the instability. While a few teachers were wonderful, overall the school lacked consistency and support.

Posted: September 9, 2025

My child is only at this school because of the stupid DC lottery. The faculties at this school is beyond incompetent. I have never met "educators" who's priorities are self motivated! Please, if you have an opportunity to send your child to another school, DO IT!

Posted: September 9, 2025

Posted: March 26, 2025

The field trips are a joke. We barely leave the classroom, and when we do, its to the same boring places. Not worth the time!

Posted: March 26, 2025

Posted: December 16, 2024

I hope my comment helps other parents not to enroll their children in this school starting with the staff they hire, many of the people are not prepared for the positions they are hired for. I had an experience with the Director of Operations who aggressively told me that I could not pick up my children half an hour before they were due to leave and assured me that the following year I had to adapt to what she said. I found this very disrespectful on her part and although I sought help, it seems that no one wanted to help me solve the problem with this person's arrogance. I do not understand why they allow this type of people who do not really help us as a community.

Posted: September 11, 2024

The pre- k program was wonderful. After that, things were really rough. My child went to kindergarten and 1st grade with revolving teachers that had no experience. My child was also bullied in 1st grade and the school did nothing to help. We ended up moving out of state to find a better school and it turns out that my child is very behind due to the lack of teaching in kindergarten and first grade.

Posted: September 11, 2024

Posted: June 11, 2024

CMI is a rare find in D.C. You can't beat the gated campus and expansive wooded playground and overall, its a nurturing environment, especially for kids up to fourth grade. There aren't a lot of after-school programs and clubs anymore (this has been the case since the pandemic) but they pack a lot in during the day, which I think makes up for it. My kids always come home excited and inspired about the day. There has been teacher turnover, though there are several faculty who have been working there for years and do their job very well. And a shout-out to Mr. Zach! He is smart, dedicated, and hard-working, and my kids were lucky to have him as one of their teachers this year. He definitely goes down on our list of all-time favorite teachers!

Posted: June 11, 2024

Posted: June 5, 2024

I am thrilled with the exceptional support and care my son, a second-grader with autism, has received at Creative Minds International. After a disappointing experience at a previous DC public school (a blue ribbon school!), where he was denied an aide and placed in a separate special education class, I was hesitant to trust another school. However, CMI has exceeded my expectations in every way.

He is now in a general education classroom, and the team of dedicated professionals, including his general education teacher, his wonderful aide, special education teachers, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapists, have gone above and beyond to tailor their approach to my son's unique needs. They continuously assess his progress and adapt their strategies to ensure his growth. Their inclusive approach has made a significant difference in my sons academic and social development.

And, above all, it is such a warm and welcoming place where both my son and I feel heard and accepted. A great school for both neurodivergent and neurotypical children - a rare find!

Posted: June 5, 2024

Posted: February 10, 2024

The administration in the school is horrible. They do not care about the children. They only care about personal relationships with teachers and staff stay away from this school.

Posted: February 10, 2024

Posted: September 15, 2022

This is an amazing school in an amazing location. We have been here for several years and while it's not perfect there is a lot to love about CMI, especially for younger kids ages pre-k3 through 4th grade.

Posted: September 15, 2022

Posted: April 1, 2022

Something must have happened here since 2013-2015; its a terrible place. The Pre-K3 classrooms use time out to punish children; they do not have appropriate training on kind/effective behavioral modification for the age group. They are not qualified. They should under no circumstances be shaming children in a "time out" in the classroom - all research indicates this is unacceptable. Removing children from a stimulus or removing the stimulus from a child is one thing, but these are open, public, attempts at shaming and punishment. The aide in my child's class threatened children and was not fired. She has admitted saying to multiple children, "If you cry one more tear, I'll tell your parents" (as a direct threat, not as a helpful attempt to get parents involved). She called children "bad" and "annoying". My child had a shoulder injury from being grabbed and handled by an adult. Children are sent to sit in the hall if they don't nap; rather than removed to the library or provided alternative activities. They watch TV each and every day for hours a day - it's egregious and lazy. All language is consequence based (which inhibits critical thinking in children) instead of based on what TO DO in an attempt to scare/threaten/cajole/ use authoritarian techniques to force the children into doing what the staff wants rather than encouraging them to make good choices to participate effectively in the community. Yes, all of this was repeatedly reported to upper management; no change, no removal of the aide or the time out chair. My child attended a Montessori for two years and there was never a complaint on her behavior; only at this place. She is sad to go to this environment. Everything is great on paper, but I would strongly recommend you AVOID this school unless your child is used to be treated and spoken to terribly or you think that this is how "traditional" teaching works. FYI- they are abandoning the campus in 2 years anyway - so if location matters, it won't be there soon.

Posted: April 1, 2022

Posted: December 19, 2019

We are lucky to be a part of the Creative Minds community. It has been such a great experience so far and my kids are really happy here. Plus the campus is just beautiful and my kids love knowing Abraham Lincoln's summer cottage sits right next to their school.

Posted: December 19, 2019

Posted: March 12, 2018

This school looks great on paper but has no curriculum and the absurdly high turnover rate for admin and teachers destroys any chance at success, not that there was a plan in place for success. It is all philosophical talk, but racism and lies behind closed doors. Stay away.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: February 13, 2016

I feel so blessed to have my 4 year old attend CMI. The teachers and staff care so much about the students. I enjoy the inclusion model that they follow. It helps the students learn to be accepting of everyone. I plan to keep my son in the program as long as possible. I am praying that my other children get into the school through the lottery. Amazing school. They also have a a middle school program now.

Posted: April 28, 2014

We literally won the lottery by getting into CMI. My daughter loves going to school each day. We are happy with the school program, the IPC curriculum, the language programing (she is learning Mandarin and Spanish), there is so much art and music as well. I'm amazed by how the language and art are tied into each of the units that she is discovering as well as all the field trips and events with the school. I could not be happier.

Posted: April 13, 2014

Creative minds is a fabulous school. My daughter knows her numbers in mandarin and Spanish. Shes in ps3 her teacher is amazing I have enrolled my son for next year and I am so excited to further my childs education here at creative minds. I recommend this school to all.

Posted: April 1, 2014

Creative Minds is everything we were looking for in a school. Their whole child approach to learning has been a great transition from my child's earlier montessori education. They also offer Foreign language (spanish 3x & mandarine 2x a week), music (3x a week), and most importantly the IPC curriculum which is only accessible via top private schools in the area (Sidwell, The British School). The school prides itself with a small student to teacher ratio (8-1). Class size maxes out at 15. CMI will only have 2 classes per grade so we are a small school. Eventually we will have grades into middle school! We are very excited to be apart of this community. We are lucky. Any one who is accepted via the lottery is lucky too!

Posted: November 30, 2013

My 3 year old son's favorite thing to do is..... go to school! His increasing vocabulary is surprising us daily. Also has a great aftercare program.

Posted: August 1, 2013

My son attends this school and we have been nothing but pleased with the experience thus far. We have been impressed with the project-based curriculum and how the teachers engage the students at the beginning of each new unit. They incorporate so many educational elements and interesting approaches into each unit in a way that really engages the students in the subject matter. The small size of the school and the student-to-teacher ratio is another positive. My son got plenty of attention from his primary teachers and the rest of the teachers and faculty knew him well too.

Posted: August 1, 2013

Creative Minds International PCS's focus on arts, foreign language and, most importantly, developing the whole child into an engaged and caring learner is the perfect fit for my son and our family. Teachers work very hard to address the individual needs of each student and my son loved school and his teachers because of that. I feel very lucky to have gotten a spot for my son at this school.

Reviews provided by GreatSchools^™

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	1.4 mi
2	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	4.3 mi
3	Forest Knolls	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	4.4 mi
4	Hillandale	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	4.6 mi
5	DuMont Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	5.2 mi
6	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	5.6 mi
7	Iverly	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	6.8 mi
8	White Flint	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	7.6 mi
9	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	8.9 mi
10	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	9.1 mi
11	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	9.2 mi
12	Old Farm	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	9.3 mi
13	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	9.4 mi
14	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	9.5 mi
15	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	10.4 mi
16	Rivergate	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	10.6 mi
17	Henry	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	10.9 mi
18	Norwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Olney	MD	11.1 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	2 mi
2	Georgetown	Washington	DC	4.5 mi
3	White Oak	Silver Spring	MD	4.6 mi
4	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	4.9 mi
5	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	5.3 mi
6	Arlington	Arlington	VA	7 mi
7	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	8.1 mi

Base	Distance
Walter Reed Medical Center	5.2 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	6 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	6.3 mi.
Fort McNair	6.6 mi.
Fort Myer	6.9 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	7 mi.
Pentagon	7 mi.
Henderson Hall	7.5 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	8.7 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	11 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	12.7 mi.
Andrews AFB	12.8 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	17.1 mi.
Fort Belvoir	19.1 mi.
NRO Chantilly	24.4 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	27.5 mi.
US Naval Academy	28.1 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	28.6 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	29 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	38 mi.
Fort Detrick	39.6 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	43 mi.

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Creative Minds International PCS

Washington, DC 20011

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