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James K. Polk Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

835^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,110 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 25% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

James K. Polk Elementary is a public elementary school located in Alexandria, Virginia, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 833 students. The school is part of the Alexandria City Public Schools district, which is ranked 107 out of 129 districts in Virginia and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

James K. Polk Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Virginia elementary schools, with a ranking between 750-903 out of over 1,100 schools in recent years. The school's performance on SOL (Standards of Learning) tests is generally below the district and state averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's proficiency rates in mathematics and reading were 5-20 percentage points lower than the district and state averages. The school has a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 76.59% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year, and has experienced high rates of chronic absenteeism, ranging from 13.4% to 19.3% in recent years.

Nearby schools, such as Claremont Immersion and Clermont Elementary, which are in different districts, demonstrate stronger academic performance and lower rates of chronic absenteeism, despite serving similar student populations. This suggests that addressing the underlying factors, such as student engagement, teacher quality, and targeted interventions, may be more critical than just increasing funding or adjusting class sizes to improve the academic performance of James K. Polk Elementary.

804

Students ?

16.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,597

Per pupil spending ?

75.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5000 Polk Ave
Alexandria, VA 22304

(703) 461-4180

District: Alexandria City Public Schools

Students who attend James K. Polk Elementary usually attend:

High:

Alexandria City High

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

31.7%

African American:

25.6%

White:

24.5%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare James K. Polk Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 25th percentile in 2015 → 25th in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (61% vs 71% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (25th percentile)

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

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school61%

District avg61%

Virginia avg71%

835^th of 1,110

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 25%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 14Elementary Schools in the Alexandria City Public Schools

107^th of 129Alexandria City 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	29.5	835 of 1110	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.3	840 of 1114	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.5	809 of 1114	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	37.8	750 of 1109	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	20.3	903 of 1103	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	42.7	724 of 1105	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	47.9	661 of 1097	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	33.5	847 of 1099	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	33.3	849 of 1096	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	34.5	829 of 1100	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	39.2	758 of 1110	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	47.1	646 of 1120	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2012	21.0	1019 of 1117	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	36.4	851 of 1117	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	43.3	777 of 1113	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	62.1	396 of 1082	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2008	48.8	640 of 1081	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	70.4	265 of 1083	75.5%	★★★★☆
2006	48.8	631 of 1071	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	6.6	1049 of 1062	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	51.7	299 of 579	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	53.3	297 of 588	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	62.0	215 of 579	62.9%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	12.9	232 of 249	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.2	228 of 238	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	11.7	213 of 230	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	48.8	160 of 326	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	47.2	160 of 306	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.9	145 of 300	51.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	30.2	829 of 1096	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.2	875 of 1098	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.5	869 of 1100	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	25.2	486 of 606	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.7	457 of 580	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.7	474 of 564	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	30.9	785 of 1046	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.2	708 of 1036	31.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	30.5	820 of 1093	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.4	783 of 1101	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	40.1	715 of 1093	34.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	55.9	467 of 973	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.1	612 of 979	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	63.7	360 of 984	63.4%	★★★☆☆

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)

White (2025)52nd percentile+27 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)51st percentile+26 vs school

African American (2025)48th percentile+24 vs school

Male (2025)25th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)25th percentile~ school

Female (2025)24th percentile~ school

Hispanic (2025)20th percentile-5 vs school

Asian (2025)7th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2024-2025) ?

Science69%~ state avg

Mathematics65%-7 vs state

English Reading57%-14 vs state

VA Studies50%-18 vs state

4.8

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, October 25, 2016

I have a kindergartener at Polk. The school has far exceeded my expectations. Teachers have been wonderful and very involved. Very active PTA. Would absolutely recommend. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 20, 2016

James K Polk has wonderful teachers that really care for my children. It has a wonderful diverse population. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, March 8, 2012

We have attended JK Polk for several years. I have always been happy with the quality of education my children received. The teachers are excellent and always willing to work with the parents. The PTA is very strong and helps the school in several different areas. The population is diverse but we appreciate that about our community. I would recommend Polk to anyone moving into the area! Close Quote

Schools Near James K. Polk Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SOL Algebra I (2025)	SOL Mathematics (2025)						SOL Science (2025)		SOL English Reading (2025)						SOL Civics and Economics (2025)	SOL VA Studies (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 Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Mathematics 3rd Grade	SOL Mathematics 4th Grade	SOL Mathematics 5th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Science 5th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 3rd Grade	SOL English Reading 4th Grade	SOL English Reading 5th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James K. Polk Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5000 Polk Ave	Alexandria	22304	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 461-4180	804	48	16.9	75.7%	197 (24.5%)	206 (25.6%)	255 (31.7%)	96 (11.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	47 (5.8%)	29.5	835^th of 1110 public elementary schools	24.8%		30.3	840^th of 1114 public elementary schools	24.6%	5		63.8	58.7	71.8				68.7		52.1	57.0	62.4					50.0	$11,597	$534	$11,064
Patrick Henry K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	4643 Taney Ave	Alexandria	22304	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 461-4170	1,075	60	17.9	96.8%	217 (20.2%)	343 (31.9%)	303 (28.2%)	95 (8.8%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (1.5%)	101 (9.4%)	28.5	843^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	24.1%		25	903^rd of 1114 public elementary schools	18.9%	60	95.2	54.1	72.2	60.4	58.1	50.7	26.3	55.7	65.2	46.8	62.3	60.6	68.3	73.3	68.2	80.0	69.7	$10,628	$392	$10,236
Ferdinand T. Day Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1701 N Beauregard Street	Alexandria	22311	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 619-8125	589	36	16.3	89.1%	97 (16.5%)	179 (30.4%)	232 (39.4%)	66 (11.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	12 (2.0%)	9.5	1030^th of 1110 public elementary schools	7.2%		7.4	1055^th of 1114 public elementary schools	5.3%	25		54.6	41.6	46.5				53.6		47.8	40.6	43.8					56.4	$11,865	$691	$11,174
William Ramsay Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5700 Sanger Ave	Alexandria	22311	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 824-6950	689	45	15.3	88.7%	78 (11.3%)	131 (19.0%)	350 (50.8%)	74 (10.7%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	51 (7.4%)	6	1065^th of 1110 public elementary schools	4.1%		6.3	1066^th of 1114 public elementary schools	4.3%	1		53.6	41.3	42.0				47.0		43.6	47.4	44.4					33.3	$15,311	$636	$14,675
John Adams Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	5651 Rayburn Ave	Alexandria	22311	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(703) 824-6970	743	49	15.0	110.8%	147 (19.8%)	184 (24.8%)	303 (40.8%)	81 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	26 (3.5%)	19.5	934^th of 1110 public elementary schools	15.9%		17.5	962^nd of 1114 public elementary schools	13.6%	28		51.6	52.9	59.1				62.3		49.1	58.7	59.6					57.0	$15,767	$913	$14,854
Samuel W. Tucker Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	435 Ferdinand Day Dr	Alexandria	22304	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 933-6300	735	43	17.0	77.0%	187 (25.4%)	213 (29.0%)	166 (22.6%)	94 (12.8%)	3 (0.4%)	4 (0.5%)	68 (9.3%)	31.3	814^th of 1110 public elementary schools	26.7%		39.1	736^th of 1114 public elementary schools	33.9%	78		57.5	61.1	62.5				65.8		55.0	68.1	67.5					60.2	$14,433	$455	$13,978
Abingdon Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3035 S Abingdon St	Arlington	22206	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 228-6650	768	59	13.0	57.6%	242 (31.5%)	84 (10.9%)	309 (40.2%)	87 (11.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.6%)	26.4	868^th of 1110 public elementary schools	21.8%		28.8	857^th of 1114 public elementary schools	23.1%	11		49.3	66.1	68.8				58.4		40.7	61.9	57.5					74.0	$15,114	$823	$14,291
Claremont Immersion	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4700 S. Chesterfield Rd.	Arlington	22206	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 228-2500	595	41	14.5	37.8%	153 (25.7%)	27 (4.5%)	361 (60.7%)	17 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.1%)	65.3	412^th of 1110 public elementary schools	62.9%		67.6	385^th of 1114 public elementary schools	65.4%	27		76.5	73.2	76.5				80.0		76.5	79.4	81.2					72.0	$13,378	$11	$13,367
Douglas MacArthur Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1101 Janneys Ln	Alexandria	22302	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 461-4190	680	43	15.8	42.6%	264 (38.8%)	164 (24.1%)	175 (25.7%)	30 (4.4%)	5 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (6.2%)	49.8	599^th of 1110 public elementary schools	46.0%		64.3	435^th of 1114 public elementary schools	61.0%	164		65.3	78.6	67.3				69.0		61.7	79.2	65.7					77.2	$15,010	$22	$14,988
Clermont Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	5720 Clermont Dr	Alexandria	22310	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 921-2400	549	34	15.9	15.1%	326 (59.4%)	25 (4.6%)	101 (18.4%)	38 (6.9%)	7 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (9.5%)	82.4	171^st of 1110 public elementary schools	84.6%		84	138^th of 1114 public elementary schools	87.6%	33		91.5	93.1	68.6	89.1			75.3		89.1	90.3	82.3	96.0					$11,128	$238	$10,890

Frequently Asked Questions about James K. Polk Elementary

What district is James K. Polk Elementary in?

Alexandria City Public Schools

How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 804 students attended James K. Polk Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of James K. Polk Elementary?

Students at James K. Polk Elementary are 32% Hispanic, 26% African American, 25% White, 12% Asian, 6% Two or more races.

Is James K. Polk Elementary a good school?

James K. Polk Elementary ranks in the bottom 24.8% of Virginia elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of James K. Polk Elementary attend?

Students who attend James K. Polk Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Alexandria City High

Rate James K. Polk Elementary!

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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.