Best Schools in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington, Virginia's public school system covers 36 ranked schools with an average score of 7.1 out of 10 — a strong baseline that outpaces most urban districts. Sixty-one percent of schools, 22 out of 36, score 7 or higher, meaning parents have real choice across the city rather than a handful of standout exceptions surrounded by weaker options. The system spans elementary, middle, and high school levels, giving families a relatively coherent pathway from kindergarten through graduation within Arlington Public Schools.

At the top end, Dorothy Hamm Middle School leads the city with a 9.4 out of 10, the highest score among all 36 ranked schools. The elementary tier is equally competitive. Nottingham Elementary scores 9.3, Discovery Elementary reaches 9.2, and both Tuckahoe Elementary and Montessori Public School of Arlington earn 9.0. That cluster of five schools scoring 9.0 or above signals genuine depth at the top — not just one outlier pulling up the average. Families seeking Montessori-style public education have a direct option in that top tier, which is uncommon in comparably sized cities.

Practically, Arlington's 7.1 average means most neighborhoods feed into solid schools, but the gap between a 7.0 and a 9.4 is still meaningful in terms of test performance, resources, and program offerings. Parents should cross-reference attendance boundaries carefully — a short distance can separate a good school from an excellent one. The Montessori Public School of Arlington and Discovery Elementary both serve distinct instructional models, so families with specific pedagogical preferences have publicly funded options without needing private school alternatives.

For parents comparing Arlington to surrounding Northern Virginia districts, the 61% rate of schools scoring 7 or above is a useful benchmark. It reflects a system where above-average performance is the norm, not the exception. The practical takeaway: start by confirming your assigned school, then compare it against the top-tier options to assess whether an out-of-boundary application is worth pursuing. With 22 strong schools across 36 total, the odds are favorable — but the top five schools are meaningfully ahead of the pack.