Best Public Schools in Arlington, VA

The Arlington, Virginia school district consists of 35 schools, including 25 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 4 high schools, serving a diverse student population across a range of performance levels. The district as a whole is highly ranked, placing 26th out of 130 districts in Virginia and earning a 4-out-of-5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Some of the standout schools in the district include Williamsburg Middle, ranked 7th out of 417 Virginia middle schools with exceptional test scores, and Cardinal Elementary and Tuckahoe Elementary, both ranked in the top 15 out of over 1,100 Virginia elementary schools and boasting proficiency rates over 90% in core subjects. On the other hand, schools like Carlin Springs Elementary, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary, and Randolph Elementary struggle to meet state averages, with proficiency rates often under 50%.

The Arlington County Public Schools district exhibits a wide range of student demographics and socioeconomic factors, with some schools having majority white student populations and low free/reduced lunch rates, while others serve predominantly Hispanic students from low-income families. This disparity in student populations is closely tied to the academic performance of the schools, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to address the achievement gap within the district.