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Very Good

#639 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 35% in state

Wakefield High

High School · Arlington County Public Schools

1325 S. Dinwiddie Street, Arlington, VA 22206

Enrollment

2,716

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Arlington

#22 of 36

public schools

Virginia high schools

#136 of 323

In district

#22 of 36

Arlington County Public Schools

About Wakefield High

Wakefield High serves 2,716 students in grades 9-12 in Arlington, Virginia, making it one of the larger high schools in the area. With 151 full-time teachers, the school maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, providing a more intimate learning environment than many schools of similar size. The school currently ranks in the 7th percentile among Virginia's high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.

Despite these academic challenges, Wakefield High operates within a highly educated and affluent community where 79% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $130,772. The school's location on South Dinwiddie Street places it in the heart of Arlington County, a area known for its proximity to Washington D.C. and strong community engagement. The surrounding neighborhood reflects stability and educational value, with a median home value of $549,100 and a low poverty rate of just 5.2%.

As a regular public high school in Arlington County, Wakefield High continues to work toward better serving its diverse student body of nearly 3,000 teenagers. The school sits within a mid-size city setting that offers students access to urban amenities while maintaining a strong sense of local community identity.

What Parents Should Know

Wakefield High is a large school with 2,716 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency81%
Math vs. State Avg+1.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation27.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,782

Wakefield High — Students at Wakefield High score 79% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.0%
School
State
75.4%
ELA Proficiency 76.0%
School
State
75.7%

Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
66%
ELA
65%
2025
Math
77%
ELA
81%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Wakefield High Compares

See how Wakefield High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
66th percentile in VA
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
151 teachers

Location

1325 S. Dinwiddie Street, Arlington, VA 22206

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Wakefield High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jamestown Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Campbell Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Early Childhood Center (rated 7.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Alexandria), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Arlington, see our Arlington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Claremont Immersion Arlington 0.3 mi 6.8
WEST ALEX GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI Alexandria 0.5 mi
FULL CIRCLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Arlington 0.6 mi
Barcroft Elementary Arlington 1.0 mi 6.1
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Arlington 1.0 mi 5.5
Randolph Elementary Arlington 1.0 mi 4.8
Campbell Elementary Arlington 1.1 mi 8.4
Abingdon Elementary Arlington 1.0 mi 5.2
Glen Forest Elementary Falls Church 1.0 mi 5.4
Ferdinand T. Day Elementary Alexandria 1.3 mi 5.4
John Adams Elementary Alexandria 1.2 mi 4.4
Early Childhood Center Alexandria 1.2 mi 7.0
CHESTERBROOK MONTESSORI SCHOOL-ARLINGTON FOREST Arlington 1.4 mi
Francis C. Hammond Middle Alexandria 1.4 mi 4.7
CROSSROADS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Falls Church 1.1 mi
ST THOMAS MORE CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Arlington 1.7 mi 6.9
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary Arlington 1.3 mi 4.3
Barrett Elementary Arlington 1.8 mi 5.2
Carlin Springs Elementary Arlington 1.5 mi 4.0
Jamestown Elementary Arlington 1.5 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$136,472

Median Home Value

$569,700

Median Rent

$2,332/mo

Population

20,678

College Educated

75.8%

Homeownership

45.9%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Wakefield High has a median household income of $136,472. It is a well-educated community where 76% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $569,700, with a median rent of $2,332/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Landstown High Virginia Beach, VA 7.0
Franklin County High Rocky Mount, VA 7.1
Gar-Field High Woodbridge, VA 6.9
Langley High Mclean, VA 7.1
Marshall High Falls Church, VA 7.1
Robinson Secondary Fairfax, VA 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Wakefield High

What grades does Wakefield High serve?

Wakefield High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Wakefield High?

Wakefield High has an enrollment of approximately 2,716 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Wakefield High?

The student-teacher ratio at Wakefield High is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Wakefield High rank in VA?

Wakefield High is ranked #639 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Wakefield High's MySchoolScout rating?

Wakefield High has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Wakefield High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Wakefield High has 76.0% math proficiency and 76.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Wakefield High a charter school?

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

Is Wakefield High a Title I school?

No, Wakefield High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Wakefield High?

33.1% of students at Wakefield High 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
73 Very Walkable
Transit Score
62 Good Transit
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,716
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
151
Free/Reduced Lunch
33.1%
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
#22 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

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