About

Lafayette is the largest elementary school in the District of Columbia, with over 600 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence, talented teachers, and an engaged parent community. An emphasis on integrating the arts into all subject areas enriches every student’s learning experience at Lafayette and beyond.

Mission

Lafayette's mission is to help our students reach their full potential through creative, challenging, and fun learning experiences in a supportive, nurturing environment.

Visit Lafayette

You are welcome to visit Lafayette, see the facility, observe classes in session, and ask questions. A morning Open House begins with a welcome from Principal Lynn Main, followed by a guided tour of the school. A parent representative will also be available to help answer your questions. Open Houses will be offered at 9:00 a.m. on the following Tuesdays in 2010 - 2011:

September 28
October 26
November 23
January 18
January 25
February 22
March 22
April 26
May 24

There is no need to register in advance. Please enter through the front doors, sign in at the front desk to your left, and meet in the library. If you cannot attend an Open House, please call the school at 282-0116 to arrange a visit. We look forward to seeing you!

If your family is relatively new to Lafayette and your child is in grades 1-5, please click here.

History

Lafayette Elementary School was established in 1928 in the northwest neighborhood of Chevy Chase, DC, to meet the needs of families moving into new residential communities located along the Connecticut Avenue corridor. It is a community of primarily single-family homes. The school building opened in 1931. In 1978 the building underwent extensive expansion with the addition of an early childhood wing and the conversion of the original school space to an open space concept. The school site shares its grounds with Lafayette Park and the Lafayette Recreation Center, affording the children plenty of room to play and explore outdoors.