Very Good
#596 of 1,851 schools in VA
Top 32% 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
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#596 of 1,851
In Springfield
#13 of 24
public schools
In district
#86 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
School environment
8.3 / 10
Excellent
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Cardinal Forest Elementary
Elementary School in Springfield · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
West Springfield High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Accotink Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cardinal Forest Elementary
Cardinal Forest Elementary is a public elementary school in Springfield, VA, part of Fairfax County Public Schools. Cardinal Forest Elementary serves approximately 700 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Forest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #596 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Forest Elementary show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 6.5
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cardinal Forest Elementary — Students at Cardinal Forest Elementary score 80% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 82%).
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 36 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: 7.3/10.
How Cardinal Forest Elementary Compares
See how Cardinal Forest 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
8600 Forrester Blvd, Springfield, VA 22152
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Forest Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Canterbury Woods Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Annandale), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Springfield Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ravensworth Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 8.8 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Kings Park Elementary Springfield | 0.9 mi | 7.6 |
| PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Springfield | 0.9 mi | — |
| Irving Middle Springfield | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Ravensworth Elementary Springfield | 1.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Keene Mill Elementary Springfield | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| 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 | 7.2 |
| Lake Braddock Secondary Burke | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Hunt Valley Elementary Springfield | 2.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Canterbury Woods Elementary Annandale | 2.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Orange Hunt Elementary Springfield | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| West Springfield Elementary Springfield | 1.9 mi | 8.5 |
| White Oaks Elementary Burke | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A.W.E. Bassette Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.3 |
| B.M. Williams Primary Chesapeake, VA | 7.3 |
| Baker-Butler Elem Charlottesville, VA | 7.3 |
| Christopher C. Kraft Elementary Hampton, VA | 7.3 |
| Diamond Springs Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 7.3 |
| Escuela Key Elementary Arlington, 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 ranks #596 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is Cardinal Forest Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Forest Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Forest Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal Forest Elementary has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.4%
- Phone
- (703) 923-5200
Resources & Links
District
Fairfax County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 180,714
- Schools in District
- 223
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,975
- District Rank
- #86 of 199
Other Schools in This District
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