C
Below Average
52/100

James K. Polk Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 5000 Polk Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304
Overall
C
52/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
D
1.8 grade levels below the U.S. average · 20th percentile in Virginia
Growth
C+
Students gain 0.87 grade levels a year (U.S. average 1.0) · 45th percentile
Resources
A
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Virginia schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

52
Repit Score
out of 100
833
Students
enrolled
16.5:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$22K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)40%20/1001.8 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
📈 Growth (how fast students learn)45%45/100Students gain 0.87 grade levels per school year in 2022–25 (national average ≈ 1.0) and gained 1.21 in 2009–19; 24th percentile in Virginia (recent period weighted 70%)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)15%88/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 76% students directly certified for free meals (their families receive SNAP or similar aid). Compared with Virginia schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −22 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Virginia. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency67% (−10 pts vs. state avg 77%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency76% (−5 pts vs. state avg 81%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Virginia state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White82%87%reading -1 pts, math -2 pts35th percentile (list)
Black67%77%reading +5 pts, math +6 pts59th percentile (list)
Hispanic52%67%reading -10 pts, math -7 pts14th percentile (list)
Asian70%70%reading -17 pts, math -23 pts3rd percentile (list)
Low-income57%67%reading -6 pts, math -7 pts20th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 5000 Polk Ave
City Alexandria
ZIP Code 22304
District 5100120
NCES School ID 510012000043
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 22304

Understanding the community around James K. Polk Elementary helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $98,238
Per Capita Income $62,811
Poverty Rate 9.1%
Households Earning $100K+ 49.1%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 57.8%
High School or Higher 94.1%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $460,200
Median Rent $1,893
Owner-Occupied 39.9%
Renter-Occupied 60.1%
View full data for ZIP 22304 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 22304 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 22304 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for James K. Polk Elementary.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 51.0%
Female 49.0%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino 33.6%
Black 25.8%
White 23.4%
Asian 13.6%
Two or More Races 3.6%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 833
Teachers (FTE) 50.5
Student:Teacher Ratio 16.5:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for James K. Polk Elementary?
James K. Polk Elementary has a Repit School Score of 52 out of 100, earning a grade of C. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary?
James K. Polk Elementary has 833 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.5:1.
What grades does James K. Polk Elementary serve?
James K. Polk Elementary serves grades Pre-K – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does James K. Polk Elementary receive per student?
James K. Polk Elementary receives $21,602 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around James K. Polk Elementary in 22304 ▼
Avg Home Value
$447,395
Avg Monthly Rent
$2,019
1-Year Change
+0.4%
% Renters
60.1%

Other Schools in 22304

View all schools and real estate data for 22304 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026