Average
#1381 of 1,850 schools in VA
James K. Polk Elementary
Elementary School · Alexandria City Public Schools
5000 Polk Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
Enrollment
833
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
833
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alexandria
#48 of 55
public schools
Virginia elementary schools
#756 of 1,147
In district
#14 of 18
Alexandria City Public Schools
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About James K. Polk Elementary
James K. Polk Elementary serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Alexandria, Virginia. With an enrollment of 833 students and 50 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, providing a moderate-sized learning environment for elementary learners.
Academically, the school is working to strengthen student outcomes. Currently, 56% of students are performing at proficient levels or above in ELA and reading, while 61% meet proficiency standards in math. These results suggest the school has room for academic growth, with opportunities to build on existing foundations.
The school's state ranking places it in the lower percentile of Virginia schools, reflecting the work ahead in raising achievement across grade levels. Located at 5000 Polk Ave in Alexandria's mid-size city setting, James K. Polk Elementary serves as a neighborhood public school where families can expect traditional elementary programming and community-based education.
For families considering the school, it's worth having conversations with school staff about improvement initiatives and how the school is supporting individual student growth.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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James K. Polk Elementary — Students at James K. Polk Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.6%
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: 5.3/10.
How James K. Polk Elementary Compares
See how James K. Polk Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 65% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 57% (2025).
Location
5000 Polk Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James K. Polk Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clermont Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is QUEEN OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Claremont Immersion (rated 6.8/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Arlington), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alexandria, see our Alexandria schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Henry K-8 School Alexandria | 0.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Francis C. Hammond Middle Alexandria | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Ferdinand T. Day Elementary Alexandria | 0.8 mi | 5.4 |
| John Adams Elementary Alexandria | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Early Childhood Center Alexandria | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| ST STEPHENS & ST AGNES SCHOOL - UPPER SCHOOL Alexandria | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| William Ramsay Elementary Alexandria | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| CARD ACADEMY ALEXANDRIA Alexandria | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Samuel W. Tucker Elementary Alexandria | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| WEST ALEX GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Alexandria | 1.4 mi | — |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Wakefield High Arlington | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Abingdon Elementary Arlington | 1.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Claremont Immersion Arlington | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Clermont Elementary Alexandria | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| QUEEN OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| CROSSROADS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Falls Church | 1.9 mi | — |
| Glasgow Middle Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Alexandria City High School Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Twain Middle Alexandria | 2.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,629
Median Home Value
$496,000
Median Rent
$1,934/mo
Population
48,577
College Educated
59%
Homeownership
41.1%
Avg Commute
29.2 min
Poverty Rate
10%
Median Age
37.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding James K. Polk Elementary has a median household income of $97,629. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $496,000, with a median rent of $1,934/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.0%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Abingdon Elementary Arlington, VA | 5.2 |
| Barrett Elementary Arlington, VA | 5.2 |
| Bon Air Elementary Bon Air, VA | 5.2 |
| Cold Harbor Elementary Mechanicsville, VA | 5.2 |
| Hoffman-Boston Elementary Arlington, VA | 5.2 |
| Luxford Elementary Virginia Beach, VA | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James K. Polk Elementary
What grades does James K. Polk Elementary serve?
James K. Polk Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary?
James K. Polk Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 833 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James K. Polk Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James K. Polk Elementary is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James K. Polk Elementary rank in VA?
James K. Polk Elementary is ranked #1381 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is James K. Polk Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James K. Polk Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 James K. Polk Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James K. Polk Elementary has 61.3% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James K. Polk Elementary a charter school?
No, James K. Polk Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James K. Polk Elementary a Title I school?
No, James K. Polk Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James K. Polk Elementary?
76.6% of students at James K. Polk 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,862/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alexandria). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 833
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 76.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Alexandria city
- Phone
- (703) 461-4180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alexandria City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 16,406
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,716
- District Rank
- #14 of 18
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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