Skip to main content

Very Good

#392 of 1,851 schools in VA

Top 21% in state

Swanson Middle

Middle School · Arlington County Public Schools

5800 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

Enrollment

964

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#392 of 1,851

In Arlington

#18 of 36

public schools

In district

#18 of 36

Arlington County Public Schools

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Swanson Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Swanson Middle

7.8/10

Middle School in Arlington · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cardinal Elementary

8.7/10

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

Arlington Traditional

8.9/10

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

About Swanson Middle

Swanson Middle is a public middle school in Arlington, VA, part of Arlington County Public Schools. Swanson Middle serves approximately 964 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Swanson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #392 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for Swanson Middle show 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 8.2
  • VA avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency82% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency85% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency84% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)85% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-1.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,424
Chronic Absenteeism6%

Swanson Middle — Students at Swanson Middle score 84% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

19.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 82.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
66.4% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 88.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.8% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
89%
ELA
94%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
94%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
91%
ELA
92%
2015
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2016
Math
75%
ELA
91%
2017
ELA
90%
2018
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2019
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2020*
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
73.5%
ELA
84.8%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Swanson Middle Compares

See how Swanson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
79th percentile in VA
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

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

5800 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Swanson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Nottingham Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glebe Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jamestown Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Cardinal Elementary Arlington 0.3 mi 8.7
Arlington Traditional Arlington 0.5 mi 8.9
Ashlawn Elementary Arlington 0.7 mi 8.1
RIVENDELL SCHOOL Arlington 0.8 mi 4.2
ST ANN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Arlington 0.7 mi 5.9
Escuela Key Elementary Arlington 0.9 mi 7.3
Kenmore Middle Arlington 1.3 mi 7.7
Yorktown High Arlington 1.4 mi 8.6
Glebe Elementary Arlington 1.2 mi 9.4
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church 1.3 mi 5.2
Nottingham Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 9.5
Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 3.1
Jamestown Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 9.3
THE SYCAMORE SCHOOL Arlington 1.2 mi 6.7
Tuckahoe Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 9.2
Integration Station Arlington 1.3 mi 5.6
BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL Arlington 1.5 mi 5.9
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL Falls Church 1.8 mi 8.1
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA SCHOOL Falls Church 1.8 mi 8.3
Discovery Elementary Arlington 1.8 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$192,951

Median Home Value

$1,070,500

Median Rent

$1,843/mo

Population

17,566

College Educated

79.7%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

42.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Hickory Middle Chesapeake, VA 7.8
Carroll County Middle Hillsville, VA 7.7
Farmwell Station Middle Ashburn, VA 7.7
Grafton Middle Yorktown, VA 7.7
Harmony Middle Hamilton, VA 7.7
Kenmore Middle Arlington, VA 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Swanson Middle

What grades does Swanson Middle serve?

Swanson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Swanson Middle?

Swanson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 964 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Swanson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Swanson Middle is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Swanson Middle rank in VA?

Swanson Middle ranks #392 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is Swanson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Swanson Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Swanson Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Swanson Middle has 83% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 89% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Swanson Middle a charter school?

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

Is Swanson Middle a Title I school?

No, Swanson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Swanson Middle?

19.9% of students at Swanson Middle 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
44 Some Transit
Bike Score
81 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
964
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
68
Free/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Arlington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.0%

District

Arlington County Public Schools
District Enrollment
27,508
Schools in District
42
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,424
District Rank
#18 of 36

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.