Very Good
#515 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 28% in state
Cardinal Forest Elementary
Elementary School · Fairfax County Public Schools
8600 Forrester Blvd, Springfield, VA 22152
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
700
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Springfield
#14 of 24
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#281 of 1,147
In district
#94 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Cardinal Forest Elementary
Cardinal Forest Elementary serves 700 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in Springfield, Virginia, within the well-regarded Fairfax County school system. With 47 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 14.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks in the 74th percentile statewide at #481 out of 1,856 Virginia elementary schools.
Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 79% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 80% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. Cardinal Forest Elementary draws from an affluent and highly educated community where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $155,563. The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 3.4% reflects the economic stability of the area, with median home values around $594,200.
Located on Forrester Boulevard in a thriving suburban setting, Cardinal Forest Elementary benefits from being part of a well-established residential community that strongly values education and family life.
Score Breakdown
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Cardinal Forest Elementary — Students at Cardinal Forest Elementary score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 84%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 15 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: 7.9/10.
How Cardinal Forest Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Forest Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 80% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 79% (2019) to 79% (2025).
Location
8600 Forrester Blvd, Springfield, VA 22152
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. White Oaks Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Burke), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kings Park Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Orange Hunt Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Springfield, see our Springfield schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| West Springfield High Springfield | 0.4 mi | 8.7 |
| ACCOTINK ACADEMY Springfield | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ACCOTINK ACADEMY Springfield | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| ACCOTINK ACADEMY PRESCHOOL Springfield | 0.7 mi | — |
| Kings Glen Elementary Springfield | 0.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Kings Park Elementary Springfield | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield | 0.9 mi | — |
| Irving Middle Springfield | 1.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Ravensworth Elementary Springfield | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Keene Mill Elementary Springfield | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Annandale | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| THE GW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Springfield | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| FAIRFAX GLOBAL ACADEMY Springfield | 1.5 mi | — |
| Rolling Valley Elementary Springfield | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Lake Braddock Secondary Burke | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Hunt Valley Elementary Springfield | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Canterbury Woods Elementary Annandale | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Orange Hunt Elementary Springfield | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| West Springfield Elementary Springfield | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| White Oaks Elementary Burke | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22152 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$159,557
Median Home Value
$620,200
Median Rent
$2,495/mo
Population
29,066
College Educated
63.6%
Homeownership
83.8%
Avg Commute
33.2 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal Forest Elementary has a median household income of $159,557. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $620,200, with a median rent of $2,495/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Alberta Smith Elementary Midlothian, VA | 7.3 |
| Botetourt Elementary Gloucester, VA | 7.3 |
| Fort Hunt Elementary Alexandria, VA | 7.3 |
| Hardy Elementary Smithfield, VA | 7.3 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 7.3 |
| Pearson's Corner Elementary Mechanicsville, VA | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal Forest Elementary
What grades does Cardinal Forest Elementary serve?
Cardinal Forest Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Cardinal Forest Elementary?
Cardinal Forest Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 700 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Forest Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Forest Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cardinal Forest Elementary rank in VA?
Cardinal Forest Elementary is ranked #515 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Forest Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Forest Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Forest Elementary has 79.8% math proficiency and 78.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cardinal Forest Elementary a charter school?
No, Cardinal Forest Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cardinal Forest Elementary a Title I school?
No, Cardinal Forest Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Forest Elementary?
29.9% of students at Cardinal Forest 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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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 700
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 923-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfax County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 180,714
- Schools in District
- 223
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,975
- District Rank
- #94 of 199
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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