Excellent
#91 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 5% in state
Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School · Arlington County Public Schools
1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA 22205
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington
#8 of 36
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#43 of 1,147
In district
#8 of 36
Arlington County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary is a public elementary school in Arlington, VA, part of the Arlington County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 714 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 95.1th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 91% proficiency in math, 18 points above the state average and 90% in reading/language arts, 18 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $192,951, where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a midsize city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 90%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
5.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.
How Cardinal Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 94% (2019) to 94% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 90% (2019) to 91% (2025).
Location
1644 N. McKinley Road, Arlington, VA 22205
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Nottingham Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Discovery Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Tuckahoe Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Swanson Middle Arlington | 0.3 mi | 7.1 |
| RIVENDELL SCHOOL Arlington | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Arlington Traditional Arlington | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Ashlawn Elementary Arlington | 1.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Yorktown High Arlington | 1.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Nottingham Elementary Arlington | 1.1 mi | 9.3 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Tuckahoe Elementary Arlington | 1.0 mi | 9.0 |
| BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL Arlington | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Escuela Key Elementary Arlington | 1.2 mi | 8.5 |
| Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Glebe Elementary Arlington | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Discovery Elementary Arlington | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Williamsburg Middle Arlington | 1.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Kenmore Middle Arlington | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Jessie Thackrey Preschool Falls Church | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| THE SYCAMORE SCHOOL Arlington | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Jamestown Elementary Arlington | 1.7 mi | 8.8 |
| CHESTERBROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arlington | 1.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$192,951
Median Home Value
$1,070,500
Median Rent
$1,843/mo
Population
17,566
College Educated
79.7%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal Elementary has a median household income of $192,951. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,070,500, with a median rent of $1,843/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Great Falls Elementary Great Falls, VA | 8.6 |
| Haycock Elementary Falls Church, VA | 8.6 |
| Hutchison Farm Elementary South Riding, VA | 8.6 |
| Silverbrook Elementary Fairfax Station, VA | 8.6 |
| Southside STEM Academy at Campostella Norfolk, VA | 8.6 |
| Stratford Landing Elementary Alexandria, VA | 8.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal Elementary
What grades does Cardinal Elementary serve?
Cardinal Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cardinal Elementary?
Cardinal Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 714 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardinal Elementary rank in VA?
Cardinal Elementary is ranked #91 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cardinal Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Elementary has 91.0% math proficiency and 89.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cardinal Elementary a charter school?
No, Cardinal Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardinal Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cardinal Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Elementary?
5.9% of students at Cardinal Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 714
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 5.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Arlington County
- Phone
- (703) 228-5280
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,508
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,424
- District Rank
- #8 of 36
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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