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Needs Improvement

#1647 of 1,851 schools in VA

Forestdale Elementary

Elementary School · Fairfax County Public Schools

6530 Elder Ave, Springfield, VA 22150

Enrollment

532

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,647 of 1,851

In Springfield

#22 of 24

public schools

In district

#178 of 199

Fairfax County Public Schools

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Forestdale Elementary

3.8/10

Elementary School in Springfield · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lewis High

6.8/10

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

Al-qalam Academy

8.4/10

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

About Forestdale Elementary

Forestdale Elementary is a public elementary school in Springfield, VA, part of Fairfax County Public Schools. Forestdale Elementary serves approximately 532 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Forestdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,647 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Forestdale Elementary show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.5
  • VA avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-22.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)72% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-24.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,975
Chronic Absenteeism26.3%

Forestdale Elementary — Students at Forestdale Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
70.0% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 60.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.3% (2025 SOL)

Based on 36 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
87%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
80%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
44%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
64%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
71%
2015
Math
69%
ELA
74%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2017
ELA
60%
2018
Math
79%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
79%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
55.7%
ELA
45%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Forestdale Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.8/10
11th percentile in VA
Academic
2.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.3%

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

6530 Elder Ave, Springfield, VA 22150

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forestdale Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY (rated 9.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. Another option is Springfield Estates Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Island Creek Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Springfield, see our Springfield schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Lewis High Springfield 0.3 mi 6.8
AL-QALAM ACADEMY Springfield 0.4 mi 8.4
AL-QALAM ACADEMY Springfield 0.4 mi 8.3
Key Center Springfield 0.5 mi 5.8
Key Middle Springfield 0.5 mi 4.1
Springfield Estates Elementary Springfield 0.6 mi 8.4
CALVARY ROAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 1.0 mi 6.3
CALVARY ROAD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Alexandria 1.0 mi 5.3
Lane Elementary Alexandria 1.3 mi 6.6
Garfield Elementary Springfield 1.1 mi 4.0
Lynbrook Elementary Springfield 1.4 mi 2.9
ST MARKS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Springfield 1.5 mi
Franconia Elementary Alexandria 1.4 mi 6.0
Crestwood Elementary Springfield 1.5 mi 3.9
Bren Mar Park Elementary Alexandria 1.9 mi 5.9
Island Creek Elementary Alexandria 2.1 mi 7.5
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Alexandria 2.1 mi 9.3
Fairfax County Adult High Springfield 2.1 mi 1.3
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Springfield 2.3 mi 7.1
LITTLE ACORN PATCH AT KINGSTOWNE Alexandria 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$120,406

Median Home Value

$617,600

Median Rent

$2,631/mo

Population

27,770

College Educated

44.8%

Homeownership

63.9%

Avg Commute

29.4 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eastern Montgomery Elementary Elliston, VA 3.8
Fallon Park Elementary Roanoke, VA 3.8
Harrowgate Elementary Chester, VA 3.8
Salem Church Elementary North Chesterfield, VA 3.8
Woodberry Hills Elementary Danville, VA 3.8
Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary Richmond, VA 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forestdale Elementary

What grades does Forestdale Elementary serve?

Forestdale Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Forestdale Elementary?

Forestdale Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 532 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forestdale Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Forestdale Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forestdale Elementary rank in VA?

Forestdale Elementary ranks #1,647 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Forestdale Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Forestdale Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Forestdale Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Forestdale Elementary has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Forestdale Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Forestdale Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

66.5% of students at Forestdale 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
59 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
532
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Fairfax County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.3%

District

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

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