Skip to main content

Very Good

#593 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 32% in state

Swanson Middle

Middle School · Arlington County Public Schools

5800 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

Enrollment

964

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#20 of 36

public schools

Virginia middle schools

#132 of 340

In district

#20 of 36

Arlington County Public Schools

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Swanson Middle

Swanson Middle serves 964 students in grades 6 through 8 in Arlington, Virginia, operating as a regular public school with 68 full-time equivalent teachers and a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. The school ranks #977 out of 1,856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 47th percentile among Virginia schools, with room for academic growth as it works to serve its large student body. Located on Washington Boulevard, Swanson Middle sits in one of Arlington's most affluent neighborhoods, where the median household income reaches $206,369 and nearly 78% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

This highly educated community, with a median home value of $989,400 and just a 3% poverty rate, reflects the area's professional character and commitment to education. The school's substantial enrollment makes it one of the larger middle schools in the region, providing students with opportunities to connect with peers across diverse interests and activities. With its experienced teaching staff, Swanson Middle focuses on supporting students during these crucial middle school years as they prepare for high school.

The school operates within Arlington County's well-regarded school district, serving families in this prosperous mid-size city community known for its proximity to Washington, D.C., and strong civic engagement.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency100%
Reading/ELA Proficiency85%
Math vs. State Avg+24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency93%
Expected (poverty-adj.)87%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,782

Swanson Middle — Students at Swanson Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).

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 80.0%
School
State
66.4%
ELA Proficiency 85.3%
School
State
73.8%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
93%
ELA
90%
2021*
Math
75%
ELA
83%
2025
Math
78%
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: 4.2/10.

How Swanson Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
68th percentile in VA
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
68 teachers

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 9.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Discovery Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tuckahoe Elementary (rated 9.0/10, 1.3 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 8.6
Arlington Traditional Arlington 0.5 mi 8.0
Ashlawn Elementary Arlington 0.7 mi 8.3
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 8.5
Kenmore Middle Arlington 1.3 mi 7.6
Yorktown High Arlington 1.4 mi 7.8
Glebe Elementary Arlington 1.2 mi 8.2
Bailey's Upper Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences Falls Church 1.3 mi 6.8
Nottingham Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 9.3
Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 4.0
Jamestown Elementary Arlington 1.4 mi 8.8
THE SYCAMORE SCHOOL Arlington 1.2 mi 6.7
Tuckahoe Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 9.0
Integration Station Arlington 1.3 mi 7.5
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 9.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Swanson Middle has a median household income of $192,951. It is a well-educated community where 80% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,070,500, with a median rent of $1,843/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Battlefield Middle Fredericksburg, VA 7.1
J. Lupton Simpson Middle Leesburg, VA 7.1
Joseph T. Henley Middle Crozet, VA 7.1
Kate Collins Middle Waynesboro, VA 7.1
Liberty Middle Clifton, VA 7.1
Lois Hornsby Middle Williamsburg, VA 7.1

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 is ranked #593 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Swanson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Swanson Middle has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Swanson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Swanson Middle has 80.0% math proficiency and 85.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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.