About Barnard
Guided by the belief that Only the Best Is Good Enough, Barnard Elementary School is committed to excellence for every student. Our community partnerships and passionate educators create an inclusive environment where all learners are supported to achieve at the highest levels. Through innovative and engaging programs like our Flagship CES (Autism) Program, student activities such as cheerleading, DC Scores and Yearbook Club, Barnard empowers students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally, meeting every child where they are and helping them soar.
Location: 430 Decatur St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011*
Phone Number: (202) 576-1100
Building Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
School Hours: 8:40 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
We are under construction! Beginning in April 2025, the entry point to our front doors is on Crittenden St. NW. More about our construction can be found here.
Location & Hours
School History
Barnard Elementary’s story began in 1926 with a small, eight-room schoolhouse designed by renowned D.C. architect Louis Justement. Reimagined in 2003 at 430 Decatur Street NW, Barnard now serves PK3 through 5th grade students with pride. The school was named for Justice Job Barnard, a former associate justice of the Supreme Court for the District of Columbia. Following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, Barnard became one of the first schools in Washington, D.C. to integrate. Today, Barnard continues to build on nearly a century of history as a vibrant, inclusive learning community, where students are inspired every day to live up to our motto: Only the Best Is Good Enough.