Below Average
#1580 of 1,850 schools in VA
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary
Elementary School · Arlington County Public Schools
3500 South 23rd Street, Arlington, VA 22206
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Arlington
#34 of 36
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#899 of 1,147
In district
#34 of 36
Arlington County Public Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary serves 435 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Arlington, Virginia.
With 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes than many elementary schools. The school has earned strong recognition, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking an impressive #23 out of 1,856 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile among Virginia schools. This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement.
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary is located at 3500 South 23rd Street in a well-established Arlington neighborhood.
The surrounding community in the 22206 zip code is highly educated, with 79% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a median household income of $130,772. The area features a low poverty rate of 5.2% and median home values of $549,100, indicating a stable, family-oriented community. The school operates as a regular public school within Arlington County's school system, serving families in this mid-size city setting where educational achievement and community engagement are highly valued.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
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Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary — Students at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.1/10.
How Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary Compares
See how Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 74% (2019) to 59% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 53% (2025).
Location
3500 South 23rd Street, Arlington, VA 22206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Montessori Public School of Arlington (rated 9.0/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GRACE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Claremont Immersion (rated 6.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Barrett Elementary Alexandria | 0.7 mi | 4.3 |
| Abingdon Elementary Arlington | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Randolph Elementary Arlington | 0.8 mi | 4.8 |
| METTA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arlington | 1.0 mi | — |
| Oakridge Elementary Arlington | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Arlington Community High Arlington | 1.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Gunston Middle Arlington | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Montessori Public School of Arlington Arlington | 1.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Claremont Immersion Arlington | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Hoffman-Boston Elementary Arlington | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT GRADE SCHOOL & EARLY CHILDHOOD C Alexandria | 1.5 mi | 5.7 |
| WEST ALEX GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Alexandria | 1.2 mi | — |
| Jefferson Middle Arlington | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| George Mason Elementary Alexandria | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 7.1 |
| GRACE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Alice West Fleet Elementary Arlington | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| ST RITA SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| VERITAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Arlington | 1.4 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$136,472
Median Home Value
$569,700
Median Rent
$2,332/mo
Population
20,678
College Educated
75.8%
Homeownership
45.9%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
4.1%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary has a median household income of $136,472. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $569,700, with a median rent of $2,332/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Bluestone Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 4.3 |
| Booker T. Washington Elementary Suffolk, VA | 4.3 |
| Charles Barrett Elementary Alexandria, VA | 4.3 |
| Evendale Elementary Winchester, VA | 4.3 |
| Falling Branch Elementary Christiansburg, VA | 4.3 |
| Little Creek Elementary Norfolk, VA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary
What grades does Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary serve?
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary?
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary rank in VA?
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary is ranked #1580 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary has 57.8% math proficiency and 55.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary a charter school?
No, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary a Title I school?
No, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary?
70.1% of students at Dr. Charles R. Drew 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.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 435
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Arlington County
- Phone
- (703) 228-5825
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,508
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,424
- District Rank
- #34 of 36
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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