Below Average
#1427 of 1,851 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
833
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia schools
#1,427 of 1,851
In Alexandria
#38 of 55
public schools
In district
#15 of 18
Alexandria City Public Schools
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very Good
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James K. Polk Elementary
Elementary School in Alexandria · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Patrick Henry K-8 School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Francis C. Hammond Middle
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James K. Polk Elementary
James K. Polk Elementary is a public elementary school in Alexandria, VA, part of Alexandria City Public Schools. James K.
Polk Elementary serves approximately 833 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. James K. Polk Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,427 of 1,851 schools in VA.
Structured state assessment records for James K. Polk Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- VA avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James K. Polk Elementary — Students at James K. Polk Elementary score 61% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 69%).
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 33 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: 3.9/10.
How James K. Polk Elementary Compares
See how James K. Polk Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Patrick Henry K-8 School (rated 7.4/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QUEEN OF APOSTLES CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 1.5 miles away), 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 | 7.4 |
| Francis C. Hammond Middle Alexandria | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Ferdinand T. Day Elementary Alexandria | 0.8 mi | 5.7 |
| John Adams Elementary Alexandria | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| Early Childhood Center Alexandria | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| ST STEPHENS & ST AGNES SCHOOL - UPPER SCHOOL Alexandria | 0.9 mi | 5.5 |
| William Ramsay Elementary Alexandria | 0.9 mi | 3.2 |
| CARD ACADEMY ALEXANDRIA Alexandria | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Samuel W. Tucker Elementary Alexandria | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| WEST ALEX GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Alexandria | 1.4 mi | — |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Alexandria | 1.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Wakefield High Arlington | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Abingdon Elementary Arlington | 1.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Claremont Immersion Arlington | 1.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Clermont Elementary Alexandria | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| 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 | 4.6 |
| Alexandria City High School Alexandria | 1.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Twain Middle Alexandria | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Battlefield Elementary Fredericksburg, VA | 4.7 |
| Forest Grove Elementary Sterling, VA | 4.7 |
| Mountain View Elementary Charlottesville, VA | 4.7 |
| Peak View Elementary Penn Laird, VA | 4.7 |
| R. Dean Kilby Elementary Woodbridge, VA | 4.7 |
| Redbud Run Elementary Winchester, VA | 4.7 |
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 ranks #1,427 of 1,851 schools in VA.
What is James K. Polk Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James K. Polk Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 James K. Polk Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James K. Polk Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 13.7%
- Phone
- (703) 461-4180
Resources & Links
District
Alexandria City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 16,406
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,716
- District Rank
- #15 of 18
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