Average
#1215 of 1,850 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
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
20.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richmond
#46 of 94
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#655 of 1,147
In district
#30 of 46
Richmond City Public Schools
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Cardinal Elementary
Cardinal Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students in Richmond, Virginia, with an enrollment of 849 students. The school operates as a regular public school with 41 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1. Academically, Cardinal Elementary is working toward strengthening student performance.
In reading and language arts, 32% of students across grades are performing at or above proficiency levels, while 48% are meeting proficiency benchmarks in math. The school's academic score of 1.4/10 and state ranking of #1669 out of 1856 Virginia schools indicate significant room for academic growth and improvement in student outcomes. Located at 1745 Catalina Drive in the mid-size city of Richmond, Cardinal Elementary is positioned within the broader community and serves families throughout the area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Cardinal Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary is 20.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
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 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: 9.2/10.
How Cardinal Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 55% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 36% (2019) to 34% (2025).
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 8.7/10, 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, Swansboro Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 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 | 6.6 |
| J.L. Francis Elementary Richmond | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Thomas C. Boushall Middle Richmond | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| EPHESUS JUNIOR ACADEMY Richmond | 1.4 mi | — |
| Richmond High School for the Arts Richmond | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Swansboro Elementary Richmond | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts Richmond | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Richmond | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| G.H. Reid Elementary Richmond | 1.8 mi | 2.8 |
| Falling Creek Middle North Chesterfield | 2.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Summer Hill Preschool Center Richmond | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| River City Middle Richmond | 1.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Falling Creek Elementary Richmond | 2.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Westover Hills Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Richmond | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 2.8 |
| Miles Jones Elementary Richmond | 2.3 mi | 3.0 |
| Blackwell Elementary Richmond | 2.6 mi | 4.0 |
| J.G. Hening Elementary North Chesterfield | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal Elementary has a median household income of $49,263. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,200, with a median rent of $1,268/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary New Baltimore, VA | 5.8 |
| Camelot Elementary Annandale, VA | 5.8 |
| Clearview Elementary Herndon, VA | 5.8 |
| Clover Hill Elementary Midlothian, VA | 5.8 |
| Greenbriar East Elementary Fairfax, VA | 5.8 |
| Mary Williams Elementary Dumfries, VA | 5.8 |
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 is ranked #1215 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 47.7% math proficiency and 31.7% 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?
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
- City Safety
- High (3,531/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richmond). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (804) 780-5082
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richmond City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,819
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,413
- District Rank
- #30 of 46
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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