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Needs Improvement

#1752 of 1,851 schools in VA

Carlin Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Arlington County Public Schools

5995 South 5th Road, Arlington, VA 22204

Enrollment

547

Student-Teacher

10.7:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,752 of 1,851

In Arlington

#36 of 36

public schools

In district

#36 of 36

Arlington County Public Schools

School environment

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Carlin Springs Elementary

3.1/10

Elementary School in Arlington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Jamestown Elementary

9.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kenmore Middle

7.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Carlin Springs Elementary

Carlin Springs Elementary is a public elementary school in Arlington, VA, part of Arlington County Public Schools. Carlin Springs Elementary serves approximately 547 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Carlin Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,752 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Carlin Springs Elementary show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares4.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.1 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 7.3
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.19 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)71% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-32.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment10.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,424
Chronic Absenteeism11.3%

Carlin Springs Elementary — Students at Carlin Springs Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 57.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 57.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
86%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2014
Math
85%
ELA
75%
2015
Math
79%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2017
ELA
64%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
40.3%
ELA
39.3%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Carlin Springs Elementary Compares

See how Carlin Springs Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.1/10
5th percentile in VA
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
10.0/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
11.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5995 South 5th Road, Arlington, VA 22204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carlin Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jamestown Elementary (rated 9.3/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arlington Traditional (rated 8.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Campbell Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Jamestown Elementary Arlington 0.0 mi 9.3
Kenmore Middle Arlington 0.2 mi 7.7
Campbell Elementary Arlington 0.5 mi 8.4
Glen Forest Elementary Falls Church 0.5 mi 3.9
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL Falls Church 0.5 mi 8.1
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL Falls Church 0.5 mi 8.3
Ashlawn Elementary Arlington 0.7 mi 8.1
FULL CIRCLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arlington 0.9 mi
CROSSROADS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Falls Church 1.1 mi
Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church 1.0 mi 3.8
Beech Tree Elementary Falls Church 1.0 mi 6.4
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington 1.3 mi 5.9
Justice High Falls Church 1.0 mi 7.2
Escuela Key Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 7.3
CHESTERBROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL-ARLINGTON FOREST Arlington 1.1 mi
Swanson Middle Arlington 1.4 mi 7.8
Arlington Traditional Arlington 1.3 mi 8.9
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church 1.2 mi 5.2
Barrett Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 4.2
THE SYCAMORE SCHOOL Arlington 1.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$109,277

Median Home Value

$672,100

Median Rent

$1,871/mo

Population

51,971

College Educated

62%

Homeownership

42%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

36.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Coleman Place Elementary Norfolk, VA 3.1
West Gate Elementary Manassas, VA 3.1
Westside Elementary Roanoke, VA 3.1
Dogwood Elementary Reston, VA 3.0
Edwin A. Gibson Elementary Danville, VA 3.0
Graham Road Elementary Falls Church, VA 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carlin Springs Elementary

What grades does Carlin Springs Elementary serve?

Carlin Springs Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Carlin Springs Elementary?

Carlin Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 547 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carlin Springs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Carlin Springs Elementary is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carlin Springs Elementary rank in VA?

Carlin Springs Elementary ranks #1,752 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Carlin Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlin Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 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 Carlin Springs Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carlin Springs Elementary has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Carlin Springs Elementary a charter school?

No, Carlin Springs Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carlin Springs Elementary a Title I school?

No, Carlin Springs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carlin Springs Elementary?

70.9% of students at Carlin Springs 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

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
47 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Arlington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
11.3%

District

Arlington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
27,508
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,424
District Rank
#36 of 36

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