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James K. Polk Elementary

Q: Is James K. Polk Elementary a good school?

James K. Polk Elementary ranks 826 th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

826^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 26% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

James K. Polk Elementary is a large PK–5 public school in Alexandria, Virginia, serving 804 students as part of Alexandria City Public Schools. The school has held a stable but modest state ranking in recent years, hovering around the 25th percentile of Virginia elementary schools, which places it in the bottom quarter statewide.

There are several bright spots worth noting. Polk is actually the second-highest-ranked school in its immediate same-district cluster, outperforming nearby high-poverty schools like Ferdinand T. Day Elementary, William Ramsay Elementary, and John Adams Elementary despite serving a student population where about 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school's math scores exceed the Alexandria district average at every grade level, and chronic absenteeism has fallen dramatically from 37.8% during the pandemic to 12.3% — now below both the district and state averages. Polk also earns strong effectiveness ratings for African American students and English language learners, each receiving 3 stars compared to the school's overall 1-star rating.

However, there are clear areas of concern. Fifth-grade science scores (57.72%) trail the state average by about 11 points, and 4th grade Virginia Studies scores also lag the district. Polk also spends less per student ($11,597) than many comparable schools, including Douglas MacArthur Elementary ($15,010) and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary ($14,433). The gap with schools just across district lines is stark: nearby Claremont Immersion in Arlington County Public Schools and Clermont Elementary in Fairfax County Public Schools post scores 20–30 points higher in some subjects, though these schools serve far fewer students in poverty. Overall, Polk is a school showing meaningful improvement in attendance and math, serving a high-need community with relatively lean resources, but with clear room for growth in science and social studies.

804

Students ?

16.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,123

Per pupil spending ?

75.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

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 — 23rd percentile in 2016 → 26th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (64% vs 72% meeting standards)

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

!Science scores 11 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg63%

Virginia avg72%

826^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 26%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From bottom 23% (2016) to bottom 26% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

103^rd of 131Alexandria 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
2026	31.7	826 of 1111	25.7%	★☆☆☆☆
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
2026	60.4	236 of 591	60.1%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	2.9	243 of 246	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
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
2026	50.4	151 of 315	52.1%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	37.4	756 of 1100	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	23.2	509 of 619	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
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
2026	45.8	615 of 1040	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	26.8	885 of 1099	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
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
2026	34.8	723 of 974	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
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)

African American (2026)60th percentile+34 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)52nd percentile+26 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)41st percentile+15 vs school

Female (2026)31st percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)26th percentile~ school

Male (2026)19th percentile-6 vs school

Hispanic (2026)18th percentile-8 vs school

Asian (2026)1st percentile-24 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

VA Studies68%-3 vs state

Mathematics67%-6 vs state

English Reading61%-10 vs state

Science58%-11 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

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SOL Geometry (2026)	SOL Algebra I (2026)		SOL Mathematics (2026)						SOL Science (2026)		SOL English Reading (2026)						SOL Civics and Economics (2026)	SOL VA Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	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%)	31.7	826^th of 1111 public elementary schools	25.7%		29.5	835^th of 1110 public elementary schools	24.8%	9				65.6	69.2	66.7				57.7		57.8	62.5	62.2					67.7	$12,123	$149	$11,974
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%)	28.1	865^th of 1111 public elementary schools	22.1%		28.5	843^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	24.1%	22	471.0	478.0	100.0	72.0	64.0	51.4	61.1	45.7	21.4	48.7	74.6	60.2	58.8	58.7	65.6	65.6	74.6	79.4	70.3	$10,571	$127	$10,444
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%)	19.3	955^th of 1111 public elementary schools	14.0%		9.5	1030^th of 1110 public elementary schools	7.2%	75				57.5	52.8	58.7				60.9		46.8	58.6	51.7					75.0	$11,259	$128	$11,131
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%)	9.8	1029^th of 1111 public elementary schools	7.4%		6	1065^th of 1110 public elementary schools	4.1%	36				41.4	60.0	53.8				46.8		32.7	48.5	47.8					57.7	$18,050	$4,108	$13,942
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	—	147 (19.8%)	184 (24.8%)	303 (40.8%)	81 (10.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	26 (3.5%)	24.9	895^th of 1111 public elementary schools	19.4%		19.5	934^th of 1110 public elementary schools	15.9%	39				43.0	57.9	65.1				63.1		43.8	56.3	58.8					88.9	$15,053	$602	$14,451
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%)	30.6	834^th of 1111 public elementary schools	24.9%		31.3	814^th of 1110 public elementary schools	26.7%	20				67.4	60.4	63.5				58.8		59.0	60.4	61.5					81.0	$14,045	$69	$13,975
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%)	24.8	898^th of 1111 public elementary schools	19.2%		26.4	868^th of 1110 public elementary schools	21.8%	30				63.8	57.6	67.0				68.6		55.7	59.9	61.9					46.8	$17,402	$1,274	$16,128
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%)	76.7	259^th of 1111 public elementary schools	76.7%		65.3	412^th of 1110 public elementary schools	62.9%	153				86.3	80.0	85.4				80.9		76.3	80.0	84.3					94.7	$15,625	$00	$15,625
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%)	52.5	584^th of 1111 public elementary schools	47.4%		49.8	599^th of 1110 public elementary schools	46.0%	15				68.5	71.4	76.3				70.1		63.7	74.0	77.3					77.4	$13,607	$00	$13,607
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%)	82.8	162^nd of 1111 public elementary schools	85.4%		82.4	171^st of 1110 public elementary schools	84.6%	9				89.3	94.0	77.3	71.4			85.1		81.3	92.0	86.5	87.1					$11,512	$230	$11,283

Frequently Asked Questions about James K. Polk Elementary

What district is James K. Polk Elementary in?

Alexandria City Public Schools

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 826^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary?

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

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

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2023–24 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 12, 2026

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

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.