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Below Average

#1635 of 1,850 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

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#36 of 36

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#946 of 1,147

In district

#36 of 36

Arlington County Public Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Carlin Springs Elementary

Carlin Springs Elementary serves 547 students in grades PK through 5 in Arlington, Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking 24th among Virginia's 1,856 elementary schools, the school places in the 99th percentile statewide. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 51 full-time equivalent teachers providing a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

This strong staffing structure supports the diverse student body across all grade levels from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Located on South 5th Road in Arlington County, Carlin Springs Elementary sits within the 22204 ZIP code, an established community where 62% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects economic stability with a median household income of $105,674 and median home values around $613,200, while maintaining an 8.2% poverty rate among its 52,359 residents.

Families considering Carlin Springs Elementary will find a well-regarded institution in Arlington's mid-size city setting, where strong community support and educational excellence come together to create a nurturing environment for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Overall Proficiency39%
Expected (poverty-adj.)74%
vs. Expected-35.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,782

Carlin Springs Elementary — Students at Carlin Springs Elementary score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

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 39.8%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 39.0%
School
State
72.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
61%
ELA
50%
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: 3.3/10.

How Carlin Springs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
12th percentile in VA
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers

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 8.8/10), which scores notably higher. Another option is Escuela Key Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 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 8.8
Kenmore Middle Arlington 0.2 mi 7.6
Campbell Elementary Arlington 0.5 mi 8.4
Glen Forest Elementary Falls Church 0.5 mi 5.4
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 8.3
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 6.9
Beech Tree Elementary Falls Church 1.0 mi 5.5
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington 1.3 mi 5.9
Justice High Falls Church 1.0 mi 8.0
Escuela Key Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 8.5
CHESTERBROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL-ARLINGTON FOREST Arlington 1.1 mi
Swanson Middle Arlington 1.4 mi 7.1
Arlington Traditional Arlington 1.3 mi 8.0
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church 1.2 mi 6.8
Barrett Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 5.2
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carlin Springs Elementary has a median household income of $109,277. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $672,100, with a median rent of $1,871/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. 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
Accawmacke Elementary Accomac, VA 4.0
Achievable Dream Academy Newport News, VA 4.0
Bayside Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 4.0
Blackwell Elementary Richmond, VA 4.0
Brookwood Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 4.0
Churchland Academy Elementary Portsmouth, VA 4.0

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 is ranked #1635 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Carlin Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Carlin Springs Elementary has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Carlin Springs Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carlin Springs Elementary has 39.8% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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 →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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