Excellent
#118 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 6% 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
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#118 of 1,851
In Arlington
#11 of 36
public schools
In district
#11 of 36
Arlington County Public Schools
School environment
9.7 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Cardinal Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School in Arlington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Swanson Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rivendell School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary is a public elementary school in Arlington, VA, part of Arlington County Public Schools. Cardinal Elementary serves approximately 714 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks #118 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Elementary show 91% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.7 · Excellent
- District avg 7.3
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 88%).
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 33 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: 8.2/10.
How Cardinal Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Glebe Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Jamestown Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.7 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 | 7.8 |
| RIVENDELL SCHOOL Arlington | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Arlington Traditional Arlington | 0.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Ashlawn Elementary Arlington | 1.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Yorktown High Arlington | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Nottingham Elementary Arlington | 1.1 mi | 9.5 |
| ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington | 0.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Tuckahoe Elementary Arlington | 1.0 mi | 9.2 |
| BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL Arlington | 1.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Escuela Key Elementary Arlington | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Glebe Elementary Arlington | 1.2 mi | 9.4 |
| Discovery Elementary Arlington | 1.5 mi | 9.1 |
| Williamsburg Middle Arlington | 1.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Kenmore Middle Arlington | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Jessie Thackrey Preschool Falls Church | 1.4 mi | 5.4 |
| THE SYCAMORE SCHOOL Arlington | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington | 1.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Jamestown Elementary Arlington | 1.7 mi | 9.3 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bush Hill Elementary Alexandria, VA | 8.7 |
| College Park Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 8.7 |
| Glenkirk Elementary Gainesville, VA | 8.7 |
| Kentuck Elementary Ringgold, VA | 8.7 |
| Pembroke Meadows Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 8.7 |
| Sunrise Valley Elementary Reston, VA | 8.7 |
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 ranks #118 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cardinal Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal Elementary has 91% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 92% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 2.2%
- Phone
- (703) 228-5280
Resources & Links
District
Arlington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,508
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,424
- District Rank
- #11 of 36
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.