Home > Virginia > Arlington County > Arlington > Highland Park

Cardinal Elementary School

1644 N. Mckinley Road
Arlington, VA 22205

( shown in map)

Top 20%

cardinal.apsva.us

Serving 714 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Cardinal Elementary School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).

The percentage of students achieving is 77% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving is 83% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).

The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.

Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 714 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 25%
: Top 20% in VA
: 77% (Top 20%)
: 83% (Top 20%)
: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Cardinal Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

School Overview

Cardinal Elementary School's student population of 714 students has declined by 9% over five school years.

The teacher population of 46 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Cardinal Elementary School
Kind	108
1	131
2	120
3	110
4	114
5	131

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Total Students

714 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School
2023	704
2022	658
2021	682
2020	791
2019	791
2018	726
2017	726
2016	604
2015	581
2014	536
2013	556
2012	504
2011	491
2010	436
2009	420
2008	415
2007	389
2006	382
2005	413
2004	396
2003	402
2002	405
2001	397
2000	365
1999	330
1998	336
1997	353
1996	340
1995	334
1994	345
1993	368
1992	327
1991	319
1990	385
1989	329
1988	341
1987	318

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

46 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School
2023	67
2022	35
2021	40
2020	45
2019	45
2018	43
2017	43
2016	40
2015	43
2014	43
2013	43
2012	38
2011	28
2010	26
2009	29
2008	27
2007	31
2006	32
2005	29
2004	31
2003	37
2002	30
2001	31
1999	34
1994	25
1993	25
1992	22
1991	22
1990	26
1989	23
1988	25

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

School Rankings

Cardinal Elementary School ranks within the top 20% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Cardinal Elementary School is 0.42, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (VA)

#217 out of 1792 schools
(Top 20%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School
2022	#217
2021	#217
2019	#153
2018	#21
2017	#17
2016	#5
2015	#30
2014	#94
2013	#76
2012	#230
2011	#57

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(20-21)

77%

54%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2021	77%	54%	65%
2019	94%	82%	87%
2017	96%	72%	77%
2016	96%	80%	86%
2015	93%	79%	86%
2014	90%	74%	82%
2013	88%	71%	80%
2012	88%	68%	79%
2011	97%	86%	87%
2010	97%	87%	86%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(20-21)

83%

69%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2021	83%	69%	77%
2019	90%	78%	83%
2018	94%	80%
2017	95%	80%	86%
2016	98%	80%	86%
2015	96%	79%	86%
2014	90%	74%	81%
2013	91%	74%	80%
2012	93%	89%	89%
2011	96%	88%	90%
2010	96%	89%	90%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(20-21)

80-84%

59%

Student : Teacher Ratio

16:1

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	11:1	14:1	12:1
2022	19:1	14:1	15:1
2021	17:1	14:1	14:1
2020	18:1	15:1	15:1
2019	18:1	15:1	15:1
2018	17:1	15:1	14:1
2017	17:1	15:1	14:1
2016	15:1	15:1	14:1
2015	14:1	15:1	14:1
2014	13:1	16:1	13:1
2013	13:1	16:1	13:1
2012	13:1	15:1	15:1
2011	18:1	17:1	18:1
2010	17:1	17:1	15:1
2009	15:1	17:1	15:1
2008	15:1	17:1	15:1
2007	13:1	13:1	11:1
2006	12:1	13:1	12:1
2005	14:1	14:1	12:1
2004	13:1	13:1	12:1
2003	11:1	12:1	9:1
2002	14:1	13:1	12:1
2001	13:1	14:1	13:1
1999	10:1	15:1	12:1
1994	14:1	17:1	12:1
1993	14:1	16:1	14:1
1992	15:1	16:1	15:1
1991	15:1	16:1	15:1
1990	15:1	16:1	15:1
1989	14:1	16:1	15:1
1988	14:1	17:1	16:1

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

American Indian

n/a

Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	3%	7%	9%
2022	5%	7%	9%
2021	5%	8%	9%
2020	5%	7%	10%
2019	5%	7%	10%
2018	4%	7%	10%
2017	4%	7%	10%
2016	5%	8%	10%
2015	6%	6%	9%
2014	6%	7%	9%
2013	5%	7%	10%
2012	5%	6%	10%
2011	7%	7%	11%
2010	8%	7%	12%
2009	8%	7%	12%
2008	7%	6%	12%
2007	7%	6%	12%
2006	7%	6%	11%
2005	7%	6%	11%
2004	6%	6%	11%
2003	6%	5%	11%
2002	9%	5%	11%
2001	9%	4%	10%
2000	7%	4%	10%
1999	5%	4%	10%
1998	4%	4%	11%
1997	4%	4%	10%
1996	4%	3%	11%
1995	4%	4%	10%
1994	5%	3%	10%
1993	6%	3%	11%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Hispanic

19%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	7%	19%	30%
2022	7%	18%	29%
2021	8%	18%	29%
2020	9%	16%	28%
2019	9%	16%	28%
2018	9%	15%	29%
2017	9%	15%	29%
2016	10%	14%	29%
2015	11%	14%	29%
2014	12%	13%	29%
2013	12%	12%	29%
2012	10%	12%	29%
2011	11%	11%	30%
2010	9%	10%	27%
2009	9%	10%	28%
2008	7%	10%	27%
2007	8%	9%	28%
2006	11%	8%	30%
2005	13%	7%	32%
2004	13%	6%	33%
2003	16%	7%	34%
2002	16%	5%	34%
2001	20%	5%	34%
2000	18%	4%	32%
1999	17%	4%	32%
1998	18%	4%	31%
1997	17%	3%	31%
1996	15%	3%	30%
1995	16%	3%	30%
1994	14%	3%	28%
1993	11%	3%	27%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Black

22%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	4%	22%	11%
2022	5%	22%	11%
2021	4%	22%	10%
2020	4%	22%	10%
2019	4%	22%	10%
2018	3%	23%	10%
2017	3%	23%	10%
2016	2%	23%	10%
2015	2%	23%	11%
2014	3%	23%	11%
2013	4%	23%	11%
2012	4%	24%	11%
2011	2%	24%	11%
2010	3%	26%	13%
2009	5%	26%	13%
2008	4%	27%	14%
2007	6%	27%	14%
2006	6%	27%	14%
2005	6%	27%	14%
2004	7%	27%	14%
2003	5%	27%	14%
2002	5%	27%	14%
2001	5%	27%	15%
2000	6%	27%	16%
1999	9%	27%	17%
1998	11%	27%	17%
1997	8%	27%	17%
1996	7%	27%	17%
1995	5%	26%	18%
1994	4%	26%	18%
1993	7%	26%	17%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

White

75%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	76%	45%	43%
2022	73%	46%	43%
2021	72%	46%	44%
2020	72%	49%	46%
2019	72%	49%	46%
2018	73%	50%	46%
2017	73%	50%	46%
2016	74%	50%	46%
2015	73%	52%	46%
2014	71%	52%	46%
2013	71%	53%	46%
2012	74%	54%	45%
2011	74%	54%	44%
2010	80%	57%	48%
2009	78%	57%	47%
2008	82%	57%	47%
2007	79%	58%	46%
2006	76%	59%	45%
2005	74%	60%	43%
2004	74%	61%	42%
2003	73%	61%	41%
2002	70%	63%	41%
2001	66%	64%	41%
2000	69%	65%	42%
1999	69%	65%	41%
1998	67%	65%	41%
1997	71%	66%	42%
1996	74%	67%	42%
1995	75%	67%	42%
1994	77%	68%	44%
1993	76%	68%	45%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

10%

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	10%	7%	7%
2022	10%	7%	8%
2021	11%	6%	8%
2020	10%	6%	6%
2019	10%	6%	6%
2018	11%	5%	5%
2017	11%	5%	5%
2016	9%	5%	5%
2015	8%	5%	5%
2014	8%	5%	5%
2013	8%	5%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

0.42

0.72

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	0.41	0.71	0.71
2022	0.45	0.70	0.71
2021	0.46	0.70	0.70
2020	0.46	0.68	0.69
2019	0.46	0.68	0.69
2018	0.45	0.67	0.69
2017	0.45	0.67	0.69
2016	0.44	0.68	0.69
2015	0.45	0.66	0.69
2014	0.48	0.66	0.69
2013	0.48	0.65	0.69
2012	0.44	0.64	0.69
2011	0.44	0.64	0.70
2010	0.35	0.62	0.67
2009	0.38	0.60	0.67
2008	0.32	0.60	0.68
2007	0.37	0.59	0.68
2006	0.41	0.58	0.68
2005	0.43	0.57	0.69
2004	0.43	0.55	0.69
2003	0.44	0.55	0.69
2002	0.48	0.53	0.69
2001	0.52	0.52	0.69
2000	0.48	0.51	0.69
1999	0.49	0.51	0.70
1998	0.51	0.50	0.70
1997	0.46	0.49	0.70
1996	0.43	0.48	0.70
1995	0.41	0.49	0.70
1994	0.39	0.47	0.69
1993	0.40	0.47	0.69

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Eligible for

55%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	6%	52%	27%
2022	9%	41%	23%
2021	7%	35%	23%
2020	5%	39%	23%
2019	5%	39%	23%
2018	6%	35%	24%
2017	6%	35%	24%
2016	4%	35%	24%
2015	6%	34%	24%
2014	6%	33%	25%
2013	6%	32%	25%
2012	7%	32%	25%
2011	6%	31%	25%
2010	7%	29%	26%
2009	7%	26%	24%
2008	6%	25%	22%
2007	7%	24%	23%
2006	8%	24%	27%
2005	11%	24%	29%
2004	11%	23%	27%
2003	10%	23%	29%
2002	11%	23%	28%
2001	13%	21%	30%
2000	21%	23%	32%
1999	19%	24%	33%
1998	21%	24%	36%
1997	18%	24%	36%
1996	17%	24%	36%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2023)
Year	Cardinal Elementary School	Virginia	Arlington County School District
2023	1%	2%	3%
2022	1%	5%	6%
2021	1%	6%	6%
2020	2%	5%	6%
2019	2%	5%	6%
2015	1%	6%	6%
2014	2%	6%	7%
2013	3%	6%	6%
2012	2%	7%	7%
2011	1%	6%	6%
2010	3%	7%	7%
2009	4%	7%	8%
2008	3%	7%	8%
2007	2%	7%	9%
2006	3%	7%	10%
2005	3%	7%	9%
2004	3%	7%	10%
2003	4%	7%	9%
2002	5%	7%	9%
2001	7%	7%	10%
2000	8%	7%	9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Arlington County School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cardinal Elementary School's ranking?

Cardinal Elementary School is ranked #217 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia.

What schools are Cardinal Elementary School often compared to?

Cardinal Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Arlington Traditional by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

77% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 83% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).

How many students attend Cardinal Elementary School?

714 students attend Cardinal Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

75% of Cardinal Elementary School students are White, 10% of students are Two or more races, 8% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Asian, and 3% of students are Black.

What is the student:teacher ratio of Cardinal Elementary School?

Cardinal Elementary School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.

What grades does Cardinal Elementary School offer ?

Cardinal Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is Cardinal Elementary School part of?

Cardinal Elementary School is part of Arlington County School District.

In what neighborhood is Cardinal Elementary School located?

Cardinal Elementary School is located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Arlington, VA.

School Reviews

Review Cardinal Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities

Recent Articles

June 03, 2025

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate

The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

June 03, 2025

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day

What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

May 27, 2025

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming

Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 714 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 25%
: Top 20%
: 77% (Top 20%)
: 83% (Top 20%)
: 80-84% (Top 5%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education