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Average

#924 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 50% in state

Columbia Elementary

Elementary School · Fairfax County Public Schools

6720 Alpine Dr, Annandale, VA 22003

Enrollment

378

Student-Teacher

12.6:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Annandale

#3 of 8

public schools

Virginia elementary schools

#502 of 1,147

In district

#144 of 199

Fairfax County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Columbia Elementary

Columbia Elementary is a regular public school located in Annandale, Virginia, within Fairfax County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 378 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1. Columbia Elementary boasts 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse learning community.

Academically, the school ranks at #676 out of 1856 schools in Virginia, placing it in the 64th percentile according to MySchoolScout’s rating system. The ELA/reading proficiency rate is 72%, while math proficiency stands at 79%. These scores reflect a strong foundation with room for continued academic growth.

Columbia Elementary is situated in a large suburban setting, offering students a variety of community resources and activities. The school works closely with the local community to provide enriching experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency80%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.7 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)80%
vs. Expected-4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,977

Columbia Elementary — Students at Columbia Elementary score 76% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 80%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 78.9%
School
State
71.7%
ELA Proficiency 72.5%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 13 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
88%
ELA
84%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
82.4%
ELA
72.3%

* 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: 5.7/10.

How Columbia Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in VA
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

6720 Alpine Dr, Annandale, VA 22003

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PINECREST SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA (rated 7.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KENWOOD SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Annandale, see our Annandale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA Annandale 0.5 mi 7.9
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL: AN ACTON ACADEMY Annandale 0.5 mi 5.3
Belvedere Elementary Falls Church 0.8 mi 6.7
Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology Alexandria 0.8 mi 8.6
Poe Middle Annandale 0.8 mi 5.6
Weyanoke Elementary Alexandria 0.9 mi 7.4
KENWOOD SCHOOL Annandale 1.0 mi 7.5
Holmes Middle Alexandria 1.2 mi 6.3
PINECREST SCHOOL Annandale 1.1 mi 8.2
PHILLIPS SCHOOL-ANNANDALE Annandale 1.3 mi 7.4
IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Springfield 1.3 mi 4.7
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Springfield 1.5 mi 7.1
Parklawn Elementary Alexandria 1.3 mi 6.2
Fairfax County Adult High Springfield 1.6 mi 5.7
OAKWOOD SCHOOL Annandale 1.5 mi 7.3
Mason Crest Elementary Annandale 1.4 mi 5.8
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Annandale 1.4 mi 6.4
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, INC. Annandale 1.4 mi 7.4
GRACE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Falls Church 1.9 mi 5.8
Sleepy Hollow Elementary Falls Church 1.9 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$134,109

Median Home Value

$694,300

Median Rent

$1,988/mo

Population

58,154

College Educated

50.6%

Homeownership

70.2%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Columbia Elementary has a median household income of $134,109. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $694,300, with a median rent of $1,988/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
B.C. Charles Elementary Newport News, VA 6.4
Bucknell Elementary Alexandria, VA 6.4
Burlington Elementary Roanoke, VA 6.4
Freedom Hill Elementary Vienna, VA 6.4
Greenfield Elementary North Chesterfield, VA 6.4
Henry Clay Elementary Ashland, VA 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Elementary

What grades does Columbia Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Columbia Elementary?

Columbia Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 378 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Elementary rank in VA?

Columbia Elementary is ranked #924 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Columbia Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Elementary has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Columbia Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia Elementary has 78.9% math proficiency and 72.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Columbia Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Columbia Elementary a Title I school?

No, Columbia Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

47.1% of students at Columbia 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
378
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Fairfax County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfax County Public Schools
District Enrollment
180,714
Schools in District
223
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,975
District Rank
#144 of 199

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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