Pentagon, The (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Touch Of Light · CC BY-SA 4.0Arlington’s public schools outscore 78% of Virginia districts
65% of students in Arlington’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Arlington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.
From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when about 8 in 10 of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Arlington’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 116 Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Arlington’s, its schools beat 72%, lower than their 78% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $25,095 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
25 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bishop Denis J. Oconnell High School (private), St. Agnes School (private), St. Thomas More Cathedral School (private), St. Ann Catholic School (private), Our Savior Lutheran School (private), Rivendell School (private), Veritas Collegiate Academy (private), Full Circle Montessori School (private), Children's House Montessori School (private), The Village School: an Acton Academy (private), Metta Montessori School (private), The Sycamore School (private), Arlington Montessori House (private), Chesterbrook Montessori School (private) and Chesterbrook Montessori School-Arlington Forest (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Arlington’s grade
A−: better than 78% of Virginia school districts, #56 of 250 Virginia towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Arlington, with each school’s own grade.
Arlington’s public schools are run by Arlington County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
How students score
Arlington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Arlington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | A− | Arlington County |
| Alexandria | C− | Alexandria City |
| Falls Church | A+ | Falls Church City |
Washington, DC borders Arlington but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Arlington
51 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 6 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Technical Education & Career Center, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program, HB Woodlawn Secondary Program, New Directions Alternative H.S. Program, Langston High Continuation Program and Governor's Academy for Career and Technical Education in Arl).
Questions about Arlington’s schools
Are Arlington’s schools good?
By Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Arlington children attend outscore 78% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #56 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Arlington in?
Arlington County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 27,950 students in 36 schools (2024–25).
Where do Arlington kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Washington-Liberty High, Wakefield High, Yorktown High and Arlington Community High.
What is Arlington’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Arlington County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Arlington spend per student?
$25,095 in Arlington County Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Arlington?
Yes: Bishop Denis J. Oconnell High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 1,155 students), St. Agnes School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 465 students), St. Thomas More Cathedral School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 458 students), St. Ann Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 267 students), Our Savior Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 170 students), Rivendell School (religious, grades K–8, 147 students), Veritas Collegiate Academy (religious, grades K–12, 127 students), Full Circle Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades , 118 students), Children's House Montessori School (religious, grades PK–K, 106 students), The Village School: an Acton Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 74 students), Metta Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 67 students), The Sycamore School (nonsectarian, grades 5–12, 65 students), Arlington Montessori House (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 48 students), Chesterbrook Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 38 students) and Chesterbrook Montessori School-Arlington Forest (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 33 students).
Parents talk
What Arlington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Arlington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.