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Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School

Public Grades PK, KG-8

989^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 11% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School in Alexandria, VA serves 506 students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade as part of Alexandria City Public Schools, making it one of the few PK-8 campuses in an area where most neighboring schools only go through 5th or 6th grade. The school serves a predominantly low-income student body, with approximately 85% eligible for free or reduced lunch in 2024-25. That’s far higher than most nearby schools: Lyles-Crouch Elementary has about 22% eligibility and Naomi L. Brooks Elementary about 38%. Only Cora Kelly School for Math Science and Technology (82%) and Cameron Elementary (88%) serve similarly high-poverty populations.

The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 5–11% of Virginia elementary schools over the past decade, with a 2025-26 state ranking in the 11th percentile (1 star). However, one bright spot stands out: the school’s English Learner subgroup ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide with a 5-star rating — an exceptional result. Early elementary scores are closer to district averages, but math proficiency drops sharply by 5th grade (41%) and 6th grade (36%), suggesting the middle school transition is a key challenge. Comparing with similar-poverty schools shows room for improvement: Cora Kelly School for Math Science and Technology, with nearly the same free/reduced lunch rate, posted 5th grade math proficiency of 72% versus Jefferson-Houston’s 41%.

The school’s investment in resources is notable — per-pupil spending of $17,844 and a low student-teacher ratio of 10.4 — yet these have not translated into strong overall results. One genuinely positive trend is chronic absenteeism, which has fallen from nearly 39% in 2020-21 to 12.1% in 2024-25, now better than both the district (13.8%) and state (14.8%). For parents evaluating this school, the picture is mixed: English Learner programming and improving attendance are real strengths, but upper-grade math and science need attention, and outcomes vary widely across student groups.

506

Students ?

10.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,239

Per pupil spending ?

85.0%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

1501 Cameron St
Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 706-4400

District: Alexandria City Public Schools

Students who attend Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School usually attend:

High:

Alexandria City High

Racial breakdown:

African American:

47.0%

White:

25.1%

Hispanic:

20.0%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 4th percentile in 2016 → 11th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 7 percentile points since 2016

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (54% vs 70% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (11th percentile)

!Science scores 21 pts below the Virginia average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school54%

District avg61%

Virginia avg70%

Elementary school

989^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Bottom 11%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From bottom 4% (2016) to bottom 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

375^th of 416

Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 10%▲ up 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

13^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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	14.9	989 of 1111	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	14.5	985 of 1110	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	11.4	1010 of 1114	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.2	1055 of 1114	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.0	1057 of 1109	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	10.0	1012 of 1103	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	11.9	1036 of 1105	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	15.3	1002 of 1097	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	5.5	1070 of 1099	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	9.3	1049 of 1096	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	9.7	1057 of 1100	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	4.3	1094 of 1110	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	7.7	1093 of 1120	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	0.9	1117 of 1117	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	0.5	1115 of 1117	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	11.1	1081 of 1113	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	7.1	1066 of 1082	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2008	11.0	1050 of 1081	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	1.1	1080 of 1083	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	11.7	1040 of 1071	2.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	3.1	1057 of 1062	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	5.4	580 of 591	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	11.7	547 of 579	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	5.4	580 of 588	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.1	563 of 579	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	87.4	22 of 315	93.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	16.5	975 of 1100	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.3	959 of 1096	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	10.6	1018 of 1098	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.3	1031 of 1100	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	53.8	285 of 619	54.0%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	12.1	984 of 1040	5.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	9.6	1009 of 1046	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	5.5	1020 of 1036	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	20.8	938 of 1099	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	15.1	976 of 1093	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.9	931 of 1101	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	7.0	1046 of 1093	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	62.6	384 of 974	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	63.7	367 of 973	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.6	244 of 979	75.1%	★★★★☆
2023	46.7	583 of 984	40.8%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	16.2	375 of 416	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	21.9	362 of 419	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	9.7	393 of 417	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.3	397 of 422	5.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.0	393 of 415	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	8.4	403 of 419	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.8	373 of 424	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	17.5	386 of 413	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	28.6	333 of 415	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	14.7	377 of 409	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	14.2	378 of 412	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	7.3	401 of 416	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	14.3	387 of 416	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	5.9	407 of 413	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	5.2	412 of 413	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	16.2	268 of 297	9.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	23.8	247 of 297	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	12.8	281 of 299	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	18.3	265 of 298	11.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	25.8	337 of 409	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.0	278 of 403	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	16.3	366 of 407	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.0	379 of 411	7.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	66.1	84 of 279	69.9%	★★★★☆
2023	33.7	189 of 275	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	22.4	345 of 401	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	23.9	334 of 403	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	11.7	383 of 402	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	18.7	368 of 410	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.0	358 of 404	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	7.9	389 of 407	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	15.5	367 of 409	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

English Language Learner (2026)93rd percentile+82 vs school

White (2026)61st percentile+50 vs school

Hispanic (2026)54th percentile+43 vs school

Male (2026)15th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)11th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)5th percentile-6 vs school

African American (2026)2nd percentile-9 vs school

Middle school

Hispanic (2025)70th percentile+56 vs school

Female (2026)18th percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)14th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)10th percentile~ school

African American (2026)10th percentile~ school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I86%-8 vs state

Civics and Economics62%-13 vs state

VA Studies60%-11 vs state

English Reading53%-19 vs state

Mathematics52%-15 vs state

Science46%-21 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, January 7, 2021

This is my family's fifth year at Jefferson Houston, and we are very happy. The teachers are kind and encouraging. The parent community is positive and supportive. We are doing virtual learning right now because of the pandemic, and the energy and effort from my children's teachers is remarkable! Don't discount this school because of bad computer algorithms that rank it poorly. Visit the school -- a beautiful new building constructed a few years ago with natural light, a fun playground, and large classrooms -- and talk to parents. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, January 27, 2017

J-H has an enthusiastic community of students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents. It also has fantastic facilities: a new building and K-8 means elementary students have resources not available elsewhere. Test scores are improving as investment in the school has turned the corner and the broader community is supportive. I encourage everyone to visit the school and be impressed by the level of learning taking place. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, June 27, 2011

This is a great school. We are having a wonderful experience with small class sizes and individualized attention for kids at ALL levels. Close Quote

Schools Near Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School

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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 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 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
Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	1501 Cameron St	Alexandria	22314	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 706-4400	506	48	10.4	85.0%	127 (25.1%)	238 (47.0%)	101 (20.0%)	9 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.8%)	26 (5.1%)	14.9	989^th of 1111 public elementary schools	11.0%		14.5	985^th of 1110 public elementary schools	11.3%	4	85.7	64.0	60.8	41.5	35.6	52.2	342.0	42.9	48.7	48.0	64.0	56.1	47.7	47.7	53.9	61.5	60.0	$18,239	$86	$18,152
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	600 Russell Rd	Alexandria	22301	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 706-4440	319	21	14.9	37.6%	165 (51.7%)	100 (31.3%)	23 (7.2%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (8.5%)	70.9	340^th of 1111 public elementary schools	69.4%		66.2	402^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	63.8%	62		80.0	79.0	85.7				81.0		75.6	73.0	92.9					75.7	$15,522	$00	$15,522
Lyles-Crouch Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	530 S St Asaph St	Alexandria	22314	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 706-4430	378	24	15.7	22.0%	190 (50.3%)	86 (22.8%)	42 (11.1%)	10 (2.6%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.5%)	47 (12.4%)	79.1	215^th of 1111 public elementary schools	80.6%		72.4	315^th of 1110 public elementary schools	71.6%	100		78.4	80.4	85.0				90.0		82.4	91.1	85.0					85.2	$15,129	$00	$15,129
Mount Vernon Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2601 Commonwealth Ave	Alexandria	22305	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 706-4460	933	52	18.1	41.2%	360 (38.6%)	30 (3.2%)	479 (51.3%)	12 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (5.5%)	27.6	870^th of 1111 public elementary schools	21.7%		25.1	880^th of 1110 public elementary schools	20.7%	10		63.4	61.4	59.1				60.8		60.7	63.3	61.9					65.1	$13,010	$13	$12,997
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
George Mason Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2601 Cameron Mills Rd	Alexandria	22302	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 706-4470	332	24	14.1	41.6%	164 (49.4%)	32 (9.6%)	119 (35.8%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.3%)	42.4	705^th of 1111 public elementary schools	36.5%		53.4	560^th of 1110 public elementary schools	49.5%	145		70.2	59.1	66.7				74.5		66.0	59.1	72.6					75.8	$18,655	$00	$18,655
Cora Kelly School for Math Science and Technology	Public	PK, KG-5	3600 Commonwealth Ave	Alexandria	22305	Alexandria city	Alexandria City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 706-4420	337	23	14.7	82.2%	73 (21.7%)	39 (11.6%)	206 (61.1%)	12 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.1%)	24.9	896^th of 1111 public elementary schools	19.4%		21.4	913^th of 1110 public elementary schools	17.7%	17		45.5	66.7	71.7				60.9		40.9	54.8	56.5					70.7	$19,143	$233	$18,910
Cameron Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	3434 Campbell Dr	Alexandria	22303	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 329-2100	606	47	12.7	87.6%	151 (24.9%)	122 (20.1%)	207 (34.2%)	92 (15.2%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (4.8%)	34.6	795^th of 1111 public elementary schools	28.4%		26.6	864^th of 1110 public elementary schools	22.2%	69		63.0	76.9	43.9	55.3			48.2		60.8	77.6	54.7	72.3					$14,190	$889	$13,301
Mount Eagle Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6116 N Kings Hwy	Alexandria	22303	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(703) 721-2100	361	26	13.6	78.7%	43 (11.9%)	39 (10.8%)	251 (69.5%)	17 (4.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.8%)	9	1035^th of 1111 public elementary schools	6.8%		12	1008^th of 1110 public elementary schools	9.2%	27		58.1	45.8	54.3	51.4			42.9		46.5	45.8	48.6	51.4					$14,333	$1,253	$13,081
Belle View Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6701 Fort Hunt Rd	Alexandria	22307	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 660-8300	419	33	12.5	37.7%	201 (48.0%)	36 (8.6%)	143 (34.1%)	12 (2.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.7%)	37.7	757^th of 1111 public elementary schools	31.9%		52.1	574^th of 1110 public elementary schools	48.3%	183		63.2	72.3	51.6	56.3			64.2		61.8	73.9	67.9	71.9					$14,286	$282	$14,004

Frequently Asked Questions about Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School

What is the racial makeup of Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School?

Students at Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School are 47% African American, 25% White, 20% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 506 students attended Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School.

What district is Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School in?

Alexandria City Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School attend?

Students who attend Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School usually go on to attend:

High : Alexandria City High

Is Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School a good school?

Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School ranks in the bottom 11.0% of Virginia elementary schools.

Rate Jefferson-Houston Pk-8 School!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 12, 2026

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

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 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.