Needs Improvement
#1842 of 1,851 schools in VA
Cardinal Elementary
Elementary School · Richmond City Public Schools
1745 Catalina Dr, Richmond, VA 23224
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
2.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
2.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,842 of 1,851
In Richmond
#89 of 94
public schools
In district
#42 of 46
Richmond City Public Schools
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 Richmond · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Broad Rock Elementary
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
J.l. Francis Elementary
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary is a public elementary school in Richmond, VA, part of Richmond City Public Schools. Cardinal Elementary serves approximately 849 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,842 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Elementary show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.0 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.8
- VA avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Cardinal Elementary runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.2/10.
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
1745 Catalina Dr, Richmond, VA 23224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts (rated 8.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, J.L. Francis Elementary (rated 4.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Broad Rock Elementary Richmond | 1.0 mi | 3.3 |
| J.L. Francis Elementary Richmond | 1.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Thomas C. Boushall Middle Richmond | 1.2 mi | 2.9 |
| EPHESUS JUNIOR ACADEMY Richmond | 1.4 mi | — |
| Richmond High School for the Arts Richmond | 1.4 mi | 3.1 |
| Swansboro Elementary Richmond | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts Richmond | 1.8 mi | 8.0 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Richmond | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| G.H. Reid Elementary Richmond | 1.8 mi | 2.2 |
| Falling Creek Middle North Chesterfield | 2.2 mi | 2.0 |
| Summer Hill Preschool Center Richmond | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| River City Middle Richmond | 1.9 mi | 2.8 |
| Falling Creek Elementary Richmond | 2.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Westover Hills Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond | 1.9 mi | 2.1 |
| Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 2.7 |
| Miles Jones Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 1.8 |
| Blackwell Elementary Richmond | 2.6 mi | 2.4 |
| J.G. Hening Elementary North Chesterfield | 3.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Lucille M. Brown Middle Richmond | 3.0 mi | 2.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23224 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,263
Median Home Value
$189,200
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
Population
39,010
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
34.6%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
25.4%
Median Age
34.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bensley Elementary North Chesterfield, VA | 2.0 |
| G.L.H. Johnson Elementary Danville, VA | 2.0 |
| Cradock Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 2.1 |
| J.A. Chalkley Elementary Chesterfield, VA | 2.1 |
| Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond, VA | 2.1 |
| Pleasants Lane Elementary Petersburg, VA | 2.1 |
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 849 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary is 20.7:1. 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 #1,842 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 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 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% 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?
99.6% 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 849
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richmond city
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.6%
- Phone
- (804) 780-5082
Resources & Links
District
Richmond City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,819
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,413
- District Rank
- #42 of 46
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.