Barnard Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through grade five. The school operates a media center, science laboratory, and physical education and technology departments. Barnard Elementary School offers a variety of special education programs for students with disabilities. In addition, the school provides a range of counseling and health services. Its academic curriculum includes art, music and health education. Barnard Elementary School offers English as a Second Language and Head Start programs. The school operates a parent-teacher association. Barnard Elementary School is governed by the District of Columbia Public Schools, which was founded in 1981 and is comprised of several high, middle and elementary schools.