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Cardinal Forest Elementary

Q: Is Cardinal Forest Elementary a good school?

Cardinal Forest Elementary ranks 417 th of 1110 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

417^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,110 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 62% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Cardinal Forest Elementary is a public elementary school in Springfield, Virginia, serving around 700 students in grades PK-6 and part of the Fairfax County Public Schools district.

Cardinal Forest Elementary is a strong-performing school, consistently scoring above state and district averages on SOL (Standards of Learning) tests in Mathematics and English Reading across all grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's 6th-grade students scored 80.95% proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 69.19% for Fairfax County Public Schools and 61.99% for the state of Virginia. The school also has strong performance across different student subgroups, with its African American and Military Connected students ranking highly compared to other Virginia elementary schools. However, the school has seen a gradual increase in chronic absenteeism rates, which may be an area of concern.

Compared to nearby schools, Cardinal Forest Elementary generally outperforms in academic metrics, though a few exceptions like West Springfield Elementary and Hunt Valley Elementary have higher proficiency rates in some grade levels. The school's increased spending per student, from $10,018 in 2018-2019 to $11,363 in 2020-2021, and its relatively low student-teacher ratio may have contributed to its academic success.

680

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,163

Per pupil spending ?

31.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8600 Forrester Blvd
Springfield, VA 22152

(703) 923-5200

District: Fairfax County Public Schools

Students who attend Cardinal Forest Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Irving Middle
High:	West Springfield High

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.1%

Hispanic:

23.7%

Asian:

15.3%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Cardinal Forest Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 71st percentile in 2023 → 62nd in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (77% vs 70% meeting standards)

✓Above the Virginia median (62nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 71st-percentile peak (2023) to 62nd (2025)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school77%

District avg74%

Virginia avg70%

417^th of 1,110

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 38%▲ up 32 pts since 2015

From bottom 30% (2015) to top 38% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

66^th of 137Elementary Schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools

45^th of 129Fairfax County Public Schools among Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	65.0	417 of 1110	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.6	430 of 1114	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.7	323 of 1114	71.0%	★★★★☆
2022	71.6	324 of 1109	70.8%	★★★★☆
2021	62.3	433 of 1103	60.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.0	546 of 1105	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.5	518 of 1097	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	43.3	713 of 1099	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	35.5	821 of 1096	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	39.9	770 of 1100	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2014	50.7	589 of 1110	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	53.5	555 of 1120	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2012	67.6	315 of 1117	71.8%	★★★★☆
2011	72.0	241 of 1117	78.4%	★★★★☆
2010	65.8	356 of 1113	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	60.0	428 of 1082	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	35.9	819 of 1081	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	36.0	819 of 1083	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	57.8	468 of 1071	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2005	64.3	367 of 1062	65.4%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	76.1	105 of 579	81.9%	★★★★☆
2023	73.0	123 of 579	78.8%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	36.4	182 of 249	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	48.6	146 of 238	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	29.3	186 of 230	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	67.5	104 of 355	70.7%	★★★★☆
2023	61.8	121 of 324	62.7%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	33.7	219 of 326	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	57.8	124 of 306	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.7	78 of 300	74.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	53.4	546 of 1096	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.7	433 of 1098	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.9	321 of 1100	70.8%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	55.4	278 of 606	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.4	309 of 580	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.0	209 of 564	62.9%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	44.7	603 of 1046	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.9	729 of 1036	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	75.2	277 of 1093	74.7%	★★★★☆
2024	63.9	420 of 1101	61.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.1	313 of 1093	71.4%	★★★★☆

Military Connected

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	74.6	33 of 192	82.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	59.5	420 of 973	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.7	410 of 979	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.8	298 of 984	69.7%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Military Connected (2025)83rd percentile+20 vs school

African American (2025)82nd percentile+19 vs school

Male (2025)75th percentile+12 vs school

Disabled (2024)71st percentile+9 vs school

White (2025)57th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2025)54th percentile-8 vs school

Female (2025)50th percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)42nd percentile-20 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)33rd percentile-30 vs school

Asian (2025)27th percentile-36 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2024-2025) ?

English Reading79%+8 vs state

Mathematics77%+6 vs state

Science71%~ state avg

2.8

10 ratings · 9 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★5

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, January 30, 2020

We are very pleased with Cardinal Forest. We are a military family and we were previously at a highly rated school in TX. Test scores were emphasized more than the joy of learning. My kids enjoy going to school and the students and staff were very welcoming. The diversity of the students is wonderful. The families here seem to appreciate the value of a good education and do not take it for granted. Ms Drake is wonderful! Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, October 15, 2019

This school is one of the worst elementary schools not only in Fairfax county, but in the entire state. It does not measure up to the reputation that Fairfax County has for the quality of its schools and is consistently in the habit of treating education as an absolute joke. The curriculum is followed only superficially and there is absolutely no evidence that the teachers are invested in their students. Communication is at is absolute worst. If you have a child in this school, be prepared to teach your children any and all concepts that are supposed to be taught in school. Otherwise, your child will be disadvantaged. If you are planning to move to this area specifically for this school, please do yourself a favor and reconsider your options. You will be greatly disappointed. I am very much looking forward to have my child leave this school and hopefully catch up in middle school. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, October 18, 2017

If I could give it zero I would. Principal needs to retire already. It’s hard to believe the principal and vice principal are so called early education experts. Some teachers are good, but leadership is lacksidaisical, completely disorganized and unimaginative. Test scores are in the crapper and no one seems to be holding the administration accountable. This school sucks. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Very happy with the excellent teachers! My kids have been challenged more than at other schools and have met or exceeded expectations. Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, April 4, 2016

We are very disappointed with our experience at Cardinal Forest. If we could move, we would. If we could afford private school, we would send our children there. Such an overall lack of staff moral and ineffective administrators. We would never recommend. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, September 4, 2015

Terrible administration, the principal seems to think she is in command of the parents. Some good, concerned teachers but otherwise no. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The school administration is, in my experience, punitive and non-responsive. The handling of special education children is especially troubling. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, October 17, 2014

I think your child's experience depends on the teacher he/she has for the school year. It has some school activities throughout the year and fundraisers too but overall it seems there is very little parental involvement and it's sense of community seems lacking. Not one of the better schools in Fairfax County. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, January 25, 2010

Very committed and experienced staff. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of teachers with 10-20 years of experience, the type my sons really do well with. Learning is adjusted well to meet the learning needs of each child. Opportunities for advanced children are plentiful. The before and/or after-school SACC program is a blessing to working families - and fun for the kids. Close Quote

Schools Near Cardinal Forest Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SOL Mathematics (2025)				SOL Science (2025)	SOL English Reading (2025)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cardinal Forest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	8600 Forrester Blvd	Springfield	22152	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 923-5200	680	55	12.3	31.2%	293 (43.1%)	80 (11.8%)	161 (23.7%)	104 (15.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.0%)	65	417^th of 1110 public elementary schools	62.4%		64.6	430^th of 1114 public elementary schools	61.4%	13	75.0	77.9	72.6	81.0	71.4	71.2	74.0	83.5	87.2	$12,163	$330	$11,833
Kings Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-3	5400 Harrow Way	Springfield	22151	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 426-7000	653	54	12.0	22.7%	317 (48.5%)	30 (4.6%)	160 (24.5%)	88 (13.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	55 (8.4%)								(n/a)	81.5					79.5				$13,566	$349	$13,217
Ravensworth Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	5411 Nutting Dr	Springfield	22151	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 426-3600	568	38	15.0	18.1%	267 (47.0%)	18 (3.2%)	170 (29.9%)	72 (12.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (7.0%)	79.4	224^th of 1110 public elementary schools	79.8%		63.4	445^th of 1114 public elementary schools	60.1%	221	86.9	77.8	89.6	76.6	89.2	81.0	85.2	90.5	82.4	$11,520	$387	$11,133
Keene Mill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6310 Bardu Ave	Springfield	22152	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 644-4700	813	51	16.0	20.5%	311 (38.3%)	107 (13.2%)	167 (20.5%)	152 (18.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	76 (9.3%)	85.4	114^th of 1110 public elementary schools	89.7%		86.4	96^th of 1114 public elementary schools	91.4%	18	89.8	94.5	74.1	57.9	86.5	90.4	93.2	91.4	89.4	$9,728	$215	$9,513
Rolling Valley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6703 Barnack Dr	Springfield	22152	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 923-2700	521	36	14.5	24.0%	230 (44.1%)	72 (13.8%)	87 (16.7%)	83 (15.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	48 (9.2%)	64.1	434^th of 1110 public elementary schools	60.9%		63.1	452^nd of 1114 public elementary schools	59.4%	18	80.0	76.3	67.6	88.5	66.3	76.3	84.2	74.7	83.1	$13,412	$471	$12,941
White Oaks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6130 Shiplett Blvd	Burke	22015	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 923-1400	699	51	13.8	24.5%	279 (39.9%)	66 (9.4%)	160 (22.9%)	122 (17.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	70 (10.0%)	79.4	223^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	79.9%		80.6	209^th of 1114 public elementary schools	81.2%	14	76.9	89.2	82.8	72.4	80.5	83.6	90.4	85.7	89.8	$11,716	$274	$11,442
North Springfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7602 Heming Court	Springfield	22151	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 658-5500	465	47	9.9	54.4%	120 (25.8%)	26 (5.6%)	213 (45.8%)	84 (18.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.3%)	41.4	707^th of 1110 public elementary schools	36.3%		21.1	931^st of 1114 public elementary schools	16.4%	224	69.8	74.6	53.6		62.5	62.9	68.3	70.2		$16,757	$784	$15,973
West Springfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6802 Deland Dr	Springfield	22152	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 912-4400	524	43	12.2	13.4%	275 (52.5%)	48 (9.2%)	84 (16.0%)	66 (12.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (9.5%)	87	87^th of 1110 public elementary schools	92.2%		83.7	143^rd of 1114 public elementary schools	87.2%	56	88.5	92.7	86.4	84.6	87.8	83.3	92.7	88.6	89.6	$13,081	$352	$12,729
Orange Hunt Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	6820 Sydenstricker Rd	Springfield	22152	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 913-6800	874	51	17.1	9.6%	554 (63.4%)	65 (7.4%)	97 (11.1%)	67 (7.7%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	89 (10.2%)	83.3	156^th of 1110 public elementary schools	85.9%		81.5	181^st of 1114 public elementary schools	83.8%	25	91.6	85.5	82.2	81.0	76.3	91.5	85.4	89.0	91.3	$10,349	$218	$10,130
Canterbury Woods Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	4910 Willet Dr	Annandale	22003	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 764-5600	735	52	14.2	13.2%	347 (47.2%)	35 (4.8%)	102 (13.9%)	169 (23.0%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	79 (10.7%)	88.5	70^th of 1110 public elementary schools	93.7%		88.1	66^th of 1114 public elementary schools	94.1%	4	95.3	91.3	76.9	88.5	86.2	89.5	90.4	90.3	94.5	$11,445	$368	$11,077

Frequently Asked Questions about Cardinal Forest Elementary

How many students attend Cardinal Forest Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 680 students attended Cardinal Forest Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Cardinal Forest Elementary?

Students at Cardinal Forest Elementary are 43% White, 24% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 12% African American, 6% Two or more races.

Is Cardinal Forest Elementary a good school?

Cardinal Forest Elementary ranks 417^th of 1110 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Cardinal Forest Elementary attend?

Students who attend Cardinal Forest Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Irving Middle
High : West Springfield High

What district is Cardinal Forest Elementary in?

Fairfax County Public Schools

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.