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James K. Polk Elementary School

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Bottom 50%

www.acps.k12.va.us

Serving 833 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, James K. Polk Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 30-34% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving is 40-44% (which is lower 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 77% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 833 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 77%
: Bottom 50% in VA
: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

James K. Polk Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

School Overview

James K. Polk Elementary School's student population of 833 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

The teacher population of 51 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	James K. Polk Elementary School
Pre-K	26
Kind	119
1	150
2	158
3	109
4	145
5	126

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Total Students

833 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School
2023	803
2022	755
2021	730
2020	795
2019	795
2018	791
2017	791
2016	743
2015	704
2014	691
2013	662
2012	626
2011	589
2010	541
2009	506
2008	440
2007	405
2006	433
2005	496
2004	486
2003	488
2002	528
2001	505
2000	635
1999	571
1998	562
1997	547
1996	513
1995	484
1994	455
1993	555
1992	534
1991	521
1990	508
1989	510
1988	492
1987	494

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

51 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School
2023	54
2022	45
2021	58
2020	52
2019	52
2018	47
2017	47
2016	47
2015	44
2014	49
2013	47
2012	45
2011	38
2010	36
2009	30
2008	30
2007	43
2006	44
2005	44
2004	44
2003	45
2002	26
2001	44
1999	42
1994	25
1993	41
1992	36
1991	35
1990	35
1989	31
1988	32

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School Rankings

James K. Polk Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of James K. Polk Elementary School is 0.75, which is more 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)

#1589 out of 1792 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School
2022	#1589
2021	#1589
2019	#1438
2018	#1437
2017	#1469
2016	#1552
2015	#1528
2014	#1439
2013	#1235
2012	#1646
2011	#1382

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(20-21)

30-34%

54%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2021	32%	54%	40%
2019	76%	82%	69%
2017	69%	72%	52%
2016	68%	80%	65%
2015	70%	79%	66%
2014	69%	74%	62%
2013	67%	71%	61%
2012	52%	68%	55%
2011	87%	86%	78%
2010	85%	87%	78%

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(20-21)

40-44%

69%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2010-2021)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2021	42%	69%	58%
2019	67%	78%	68%
2018	71%	80%
2017	69%	80%	71%
2016	68%	80%	73%
2015	66%	79%	70%
2014	57%	74%	65%
2013	65%	74%	65%
2012	80%	89%	81%
2011	80%	88%	81%
2010	86%	89%	83%

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(20-21)

35-39%

59%

Student : Teacher Ratio

16:1

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	15:1	14:1	15:1
2022	17:1	14:1	15:1
2021	13:1	14:1	14:1
2020	15:1	15:1	14:1
2019	15:1	15:1	14:1
2018	17:1	15:1	14:1
2017	17:1	15:1	14:1
2016	16:1	15:1	14:1
2015	16:1	15:1	14:1
2014	14:1	16:1	14:1
2013	14:1	16:1	13:1
2012	14:1	15:1	13:1
2011	16:1	17:1	14:1
2010	15:1	17:1	16:1
2009	17:1	17:1	15:1
2008	15:1	17:1	15:1
2007	9:1	13:1	9:1
2006	10:1	13:1	11:1
2005	11:1	14:1	11:1
2004	11:1	13:1	11:1
2003	11:1	12:1	9:1
2002	20:1	13:1	15:1
2001	11:1	14:1	11:1
1999	14:1	15:1	12:1
1994	18:1	17:1	12:1
1993	14:1	16:1	13:1
1992	15:1	16:1	13:1
1991	15:1	16:1	13:1
1990	15:1	16:1	13:1
1989	16:1	16:1	14:1
1988	15:1	17:1	14:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

13%

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	13%	7%	7%
2022	10%	7%	6%
2021	10%	8%	6%
2020	8%	7%	5%
2019	8%	7%	5%
2018	5%	7%	5%
2017	5%	7%	5%
2016	5%	8%	5%
2015	6%	6%	4%
2014	5%	7%	4%
2013	5%	7%	5%
2012	6%	6%	6%
2011	8%	7%	6%
2010	10%	7%	7%
2009	11%	7%	8%
2008	12%	6%	8%
2007	11%	6%	8%
2006	10%	6%	7%
2005	9%	6%	7%
2004	10%	6%	7%
2003	7%	5%	6%
2002	9%	5%	7%
2001	9%	4%	6%
2000	7%	4%	6%
1999	7%	4%	6%
1998	8%	4%	7%
1997	8%	4%	6%
1996	7%	3%	6%
1995	7%	4%	6%
1994	7%	3%	8%
1993	5%	3%	7%

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Hispanic

34%

19%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	36%	19%	37%
2022	36%	18%	37%
2021	37%	18%	37%
2020	34%	16%	36%
2019	34%	16%	36%
2018	31%	15%	36%
2017	31%	15%	36%
2016	32%	14%	35%
2015	28%	14%	35%
2014	28%	13%	33%
2013	29%	12%	33%
2012	24%	12%	30%
2011	23%	11%	31%
2010	24%	10%	28%
2009	26%	10%	28%
2008	22%	10%	26%
2007	24%	9%	26%
2006	28%	8%	27%
2005	29%	7%	27%
2004	30%	6%	27%
2003	31%	7%	27%
2002	29%	5%	27%
2001	29%	5%	27%
2000	27%	4%	25%
1999	26%	4%	23%
1998	25%	4%	22%
1997	21%	3%	20%
1996	22%	3%	20%
1995	20%	3%	18%
1994	20%	3%	16%
1993	10%	3%	15%

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Black

26%

22%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	27%	22%	26%
2022	30%	22%	27%
2021	29%	22%	27%
2020	35%	22%	28%
2019	35%	22%	28%
2018	40%	23%	30%
2017	40%	23%	30%
2016	37%	23%	31%
2015	39%	23%	31%
2014	41%	23%	32%
2013	39%	23%	33%
2012	45%	24%	34%
2011	43%	24%	34%
2010	45%	26%	37%
2009	41%	26%	39%
2008	42%	27%	41%
2007	40%	27%	41%
2006	38%	27%	42%
2005	39%	27%	43%
2004	36%	27%	43%
2003	38%	27%	44%
2002	37%	27%	44%
2001	37%	27%	45%
2000	42%	27%	46%
1999	44%	27%	47%
1998	44%	27%	47%
1997	46%	27%	49%
1996	41%	27%	48%
1995	42%	26%	49%
1994	38%	26%	48%
1993	50%	26%	48%

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White

23%

44%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	21%	45%	27%
2022	21%	46%	27%
2021	22%	46%	28%
2020	21%	49%	28%
2019	21%	49%	28%
2018	23%	50%	27%
2017	23%	50%	27%
2016	23%	50%	27%
2015	23%	52%	28%
2014	20%	52%	28%
2013	21%	53%	27%
2012	21%	54%	28%
2011	21%	54%	25%
2010	19%	57%	25%
2009	22%	57%	25%
2008	23%	57%	25%
2007	25%	58%	25%
2006	24%	59%	24%
2005	23%	60%	23%
2004	24%	61%	23%
2003	24%	61%	23%
2002	25%	63%	22%
2001	25%	64%	22%
2000	24%	65%	23%
1999	23%	65%	24%
1998	23%	65%	24%
1997	25%	66%	25%
1996	29%	67%	26%
1995	30%	67%	27%
1994	35%	68%	28%
1993	35%	68%	30%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	3%	7%	3%
2022	3%	7%	3%
2021	2%	6%	2%
2020	2%	6%	3%
2019	2%	6%	3%
2018	1%	5%	2%
2017	1%	5%	2%
2016	2%	5%	2%
2015	3%	5%	2%
2014	3%	5%	3%
2013	3%	5%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.75

0.72

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	0.74	0.71	0.73
2022	0.73	0.70	0.72
2021	0.73	0.70	0.72
2020	0.72	0.68	0.72
2019	0.72	0.68	0.72
2018	0.70	0.67	0.71
2017	0.70	0.67	0.71
2016	0.71	0.68	0.71
2015	0.72	0.66	0.71
2014	0.72	0.66	0.72
2013	0.72	0.65	0.72
2012	0.71	0.64	0.72
2011	0.72	0.64	0.73
2010	0.72	0.62	0.71
2009	0.73	0.60	0.70
2008	0.75	0.60	0.70
2007	0.75	0.59	0.70
2006	0.74	0.58	0.69
2005	0.72	0.57	0.69
2004	0.72	0.55	0.69
2003	0.71	0.55	0.69
2002	0.72	0.53	0.69
2001	0.72	0.52	0.68
2000	0.70	0.51	0.68
1999	0.69	0.51	0.67
1998	0.69	0.50	0.67
1997	0.68	0.49	0.66
1996	0.71	0.48	0.66
1995	0.70	0.49	0.66
1994	0.70	0.47	0.66
1993	0.62	0.47	0.66

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Eligible for

77%

55%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1996-2023)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2023	74%	52%	55%
2022	60%	41%	49%
2021	60%	35%	37%
2020	60%	39%	47%
2019	60%	39%	47%
2018	54%	35%	39%
2017	54%	35%	39%
2016	53%	35%	38%
2015	52%	34%	43%
2014	50%	33%	47%
2013	48%	32%	44%
2012	46%	32%	42%
2011	45%	31%	42%
2010	44%	29%	40%
2009	40%	26%	37%
2008	37%	25%	35%
2007	34%	24%	35%
2006	34%	24%	35%
2005	35%	24%	37%
2004	36%	23%	37%
2003	33%	23%	38%
2002	34%	23%	39%
2001	29%	21%	40%
2000	27%	23%	38%
1999	30%	24%	43%
1998	32%	24%	42%
1997	34%	24%	44%
1996	35%	24%	42%

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Eligible for (21-22)

12%

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2002-2022)
Year	James K. Polk Elementary School	Virginia	Alexandria City School District
2022	12%	5%	9%
2021	14%	6%	7%
2020	13%	5%	9%
2019	13%	5%	9%
2018	13%	6%	7%
2017	13%	6%	7%
2016	13%	6%	7%
2015	15%	6%	9%
2014	15%	6%	10%
2013	15%	6%	9%
2012	19%	7%	11%
2011	13%	6%	10%
2010	12%	7%	11%
2009	9%	7%	11%
2008	12%	7%	11%
2007	11%	7%	11%
2006	17%	7%	11%
2005	14%	7%	10%
2004	13%	7%	10%
2003	15%	7%	10%
2002	11%	7%	10%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Alexandria City School District

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

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is James K. Polk Elementary School's ranking?

James K. Polk Elementary School is ranked #1589 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Virginia.

What schools are James K. Polk Elementary School often compared to?

James K. Polk Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Patrick Henry K-8 School by visitors of our site.

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

30-34% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while 40-44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).

How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary School?

833 students attend James K. Polk Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

34% of James K. Polk Elementary School students are Hispanic, 26% of students are Black, 23% of students are White, 13% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.

What is the student:teacher ratio of James K. Polk Elementary School?

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

What grades does James K. Polk Elementary School offer ?

James K. Polk Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is James K. Polk Elementary School part of?

James K. Polk Elementary School is part of Alexandria City School District.

In what neighborhood is James K. Polk Elementary School located?

James K. Polk Elementary School is located in the Seminary Hill neighborhood of Alexandria, VA. There are 2 other public schools located in Seminary Hill.

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Quick Stats (2025)

Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 833 students
Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
Minority Enrollment: 77%
: Bottom 50%
: 30-34% (Btm 50%)
: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education