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
Enrollment
964
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Swanson Middle — Students at Swanson Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.9%
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: 4.2/10.
How Swanson Middle Compares
See how Swanson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 93% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 85% (2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (703) 228-5500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arlington County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,508
- Schools in District
- 42
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,424
- District Rank
- #20 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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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