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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.2Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Math vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-41.7 pts
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-22.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.1Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,583

Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 31.7%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
54.8%
ELA
34.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
34th percentile in VA
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
9.2/10
Above average
Environment
3.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Richmond City Public Schools
District Enrollment
20,819
Schools in District
54
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,413
District Rank
#30 of 46

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 methodology

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