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Kent Gardens Elementary

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-6

4^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,111 Virginia Elementary Schools

Better than 100% of Virginia elementary schools

Summary

Kent Gardens Elementary is a PK–6 public school in McLean, Virginia, serving 918 students within the Fairfax County Public Schools district. The school has climbed steadily from a statewide rank of #83 in 2018–2019 to #4 out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools in 2025–2026, earning a 5-star rating every year along the way. That places it in the top 1% of the state and makes it the highest-ranked school among its immediate neighbors, including Haycock Elementary (#5) and Churchill Road Elementary (#7).

Academically, Kent Gardens posts near-universal proficiency. In 2025–2026, 5th-grade math proficiency was 100%, and reading ranged from 95.2% to 97.5% across grades 3–6. Science proficiency in 5th grade hit 97.5%, the highest among comparable nearby schools. These scores run roughly 20–30 percentage points above district and state averages. The school also stands out for its low chronic absenteeism of 4.6% in 2024–2025, compared to 11.9% districtwide and 14.8% statewide. It performs strongly across subgroups, with top-10 state rankings for both girls and boys, students with disabilities, and English learners, reflecting consistent instruction for all.

What makes Kent Gardens particularly remarkable is its efficiency. In 2023–2024, per-student spending was $9,471, the lowest among its comparison group, and its student-to-teacher ratio of 17.1 is the highest. Yet it outranks schools that spend far more, such as Jamestown Elementary ($15,107 per student) and Nottingham Elementary ($14,137). Kent Gardens sits in an extraordinary educational corridor where four of the top eight Virginia elementary schools are within a few miles, and it leads them all. Its sustained rise and top-tier outcomes, achieved with below-average spending, make it a standout choice for parents seeking a high-performing, well-run school.

918

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,471

Per pupil spending ?

Free/discounted lunch ?

1717 Melbourne Dr
Mclean, VA 22101

(703) 394-5600

District: Fairfax County Public Schools

Students who attend Kent Gardens Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Longfellow Middle
High:	McLean High

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.5%

Asian:

26.5%

Two or more races:

9.4%

See top rated Virginia elementary schools

Compare Kent Gardens Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 95th percentile in 2016 → 100th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Virginia average (97% vs 71% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Virginia elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school97%

District avg76%

Virginia avg71%

4^th of 1,111

Virginia public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 5% (2016) to top 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Virginia Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 137Elementary Schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools

39^th of 131Fairfax 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
2026	95.6	4 of 1111	99.6%	★★★★★
2025	94.5	7 of 1110	99.4%	★★★★★
2024	92.0	23 of 1114	97.9%	★★★★★
2023	92.9	21 of 1114	98.1%	★★★★★
2022	92.8	18 of 1109	98.4%	★★★★★
2021	94.1	17 of 1103	98.5%	★★★★★
2019	85.1	83 of 1105	92.5%	★★★★★
2018	84.9	92 of 1097	91.6%	★★★★★
2017	88.3	49 of 1099	95.5%	★★★★★
2016	86.2	53 of 1096	95.2%	★★★★★
2015	86.3	50 of 1100	95.5%	★★★★★
2014	85.9	79 of 1110	92.9%	★★★★★
2013	86.8	65 of 1120	94.2%	★★★★★
2012	84.6	58 of 1117	94.8%	★★★★★
2011	79.8	128 of 1117	88.5%	★★★★☆
2010	77.7	135 of 1113	87.9%	★★★★☆
2009	79.8	109 of 1082	89.9%	★★★★★
2008	73.9	208 of 1081	80.8%	★★★★☆
2007	75.8	181 of 1083	83.3%	★★★★☆
2006	80.8	97 of 1071	90.9%	★★★★★
2005	82.7	97 of 1062	90.9%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	86.6	3 of 246	98.8%	★★★★★
2025	83.5	12 of 249	95.2%	★★★★★
2024	79.2	22 of 238	90.8%	★★★★★
2023	73.0	57 of 230	75.2%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	95.8	4 of 420	99.0%	★★★★★
2024	79.9	36 of 355	89.9%	★★★★★
2023	88.7	13 of 324	96.0%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2023	93.4	6 of 300	98.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	94.7	4 of 1100	99.6%	★★★★★
2025	92.8	11 of 1096	99.0%	★★★★★
2024	89.9	30 of 1098	97.3%	★★★★★
2023	91.1	27 of 1100	97.5%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.5	32 of 619	94.8%	★★★★★
2025	97.3	3 of 606	99.5%	★★★★★
2024	93.9	14 of 580	97.6%	★★★★★
2023	93.3	16 of 564	97.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	94.6	4 of 1099	99.6%	★★★★★
2025	94.3	9 of 1093	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	92.2	19 of 1101	98.3%	★★★★★
2023	92.8	16 of 1093	98.5%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	89.6	13 of 306	95.8%	★★★★★
2025	92.6	5 of 271	98.2%	★★★★★
2024	87.6	21 of 247	91.5%	★★★★★
2023	92.7	3 of 245	98.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	91.5	6 of 974	99.4%	★★★★★
2025	88.6	21 of 973	97.8%	★★★★★
2024	82.3	92 of 979	90.6%	★★★★★
2023	88.5	25 of 984	97.5%	★★★★★

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)

Female (2026)100th percentile~ school

Male (2026)100th percentile~ school

White (2026)99th percentile~ school

Disabled (2026)99th percentile~ school

Asian (2026)99th percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2023)98th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2026)96th percentile-4 vs school

Hispanic (2026)95th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I100%~ state avg

Mathematics98%+27 vs state

Science98%+29 vs state

English Reading96%+25 vs state

3.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, October 2, 2016

Fantastic magnet school that is the only one that offers a French Immersion Program and also an Advanced Academics Program as a local center for level IV. The Principal and the two Assistant Principals are dynamic, innovative and great role models for the children. The teachers are excellent and they inspire the kids to bring out their best. The PTA is superb and really active allocating funds to provide many educational enrichment activities for the students, field trips, training for the teachers, improvements in the building (gym, teachers lounge, playground, etc.), and acquire laptops, ipads and smarboards for the classrooms. Our child feels really happy there and our family is really grateful for the great educational opportunities that she receives every day. We love this school! Kent Gardens is a real treasure! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

There are two huge issues at this school: 1) the principal has a "my way or the highway" approach that alienates parents (and the parents are afraid of her for fear of retaliation!)
2) there is constant turnover in the school so as a result teachers are coming and going frequently and the majority have less than 7 years experience Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, November 1, 2010

The teachers are mostly great, but every school has issues. Check out the underground parents blog at

http://peelbacktheapple.blogspot.com/

http://kgesteacherratings.blogspot.com/ Close Quote

Schools Near Kent Gardens 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 Algebra I (2026)	SOL Mathematics (2026)				SOL Science (2026)	SOL English Reading (2026)				SOL VA Studies (2026)	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 (2025)	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 6th Grade	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	SOL VA Studies 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kent Gardens Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	1717 Melbourne Dr	Mclean	22101	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(703) 394-5600	918	53	17.1	4.0%	491 (53.5%)	26 (2.8%)	71 (7.7%)	243 (26.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	86 (9.4%)	95.6	4^th of 1111 public elementary schools	99.6%		94.5	7^th of 1110 public elementary schools	99.4%	3	100.0	99.2	97.5	100.0	95.2	97.5	95.2	97.4	95.6	97.5		$9,471	$236	$9,235
Sherman Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6633 Brawner St	Mclean	22101	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 506-7900	290	26	11.1	7.9%	165 (56.9%)	9 (3.1%)	19 (6.6%)	71 (24.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (9.0%)	85.1	125^th of 1111 public elementary schools	88.7%		82.5	170^th of 1110 public elementary schools	84.7%	45		93.6	94.6	91.3	88.5	70.6	93.6	88.9	90.9	84.6		$13,033	$390	$12,643
Chesterbrook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	1753 Kirby Rd	Mclean	22101	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 714-8200	557	38	14.5	2.5%	338 (60.7%)	9 (1.6%)	61 (11.0%)	85 (15.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (11.5%)	89.8	47^th of 1111 public elementary schools	95.8%		90.1	50^th of 1110 public elementary schools	95.5%	3		89.6	90.0	85.7	94.6	88.9	91.0	92.6	92.6	96.9		$11,337	$319	$11,017
Haycock Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	6616 Haycock Rd	Falls Church	22043	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 531-4000	838	49	17.0	4.4%	416 (49.6%)	10 (1.2%)	70 (8.4%)	264 (31.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	77 (9.2%)	95.4	5^th of 1111 public elementary schools	99.5%		95.8	2^nd of 1110 public elementary schools	99.8%	3	100.0	96.4	96.6	98.7	98.4	96.8	94.5	94.4	98.1	98.8		$9,712	$309	$9,402
Westgate Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	7500 Magarity Rd	Falls Church	22043	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 610-5700	614	44	14.0	37.3%	182 (29.6%)	39 (6.4%)	159 (25.9%)	196 (31.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (5.9%)	55.5	548^th of 1111 public elementary schools	50.7%		49.6	603^rd of 1110 public elementary schools	45.7%	55		79.5	81.9	59.7	60.5	60.2	77.0	75.0	76.3	80.0		$11,865	$245	$11,620
Lemon Road Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	7230 Idylwood Rd	Falls Church	22043	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 714-6400	595	38	15.4	19.0%	198 (33.3%)	30 (5.0%)	124 (20.8%)	191 (32.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (8.4%)	83.2	157^th of 1111 public elementary schools	85.9%		82.3	175^th of 1110 public elementary schools	84.2%	18	100.0	90.9	86.1	78.3	74.5	84.8	85.7	82.8	89.5	91.0		$11,198	$234	$10,964
Mount Daniel Elementary School	Public	K-2	2328 N. Oak St	Falls Church	22046	Falls Church city	Falls Church City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 248-5640	486	39	12.6	15.6%	302 (62.1%)	14 (2.9%)	71 (14.6%)	34 (7.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	64 (13.2%)								(n/a)												$15,817	$241	$15,576
Discovery Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5241 36th Street North	Arlington	22207	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 288-2685	489	39	12.7	4.3%	341 (69.7%)	10 (2.0%)	41 (8.4%)	32 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (13.3%)	90.8	35^th of 1111 public elementary schools	96.8%		93.2	18^th of 1110 public elementary schools	98.4%	17		97.2	89.7	93.8		90.0	95.7	91.0	96.2		86.6	$12,856	$85	$12,772
Churchill Road Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	7100 Churchill Rd	Mclean	22101	Fairfax County	Fairfax County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 288-8400	635	41	15.3	2.0%	266 (41.9%)	12 (1.9%)	59 (9.3%)	215 (33.9%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	80 (12.6%)	94.3	7^th of 1111 public elementary schools	99.4%		93.6	12^th of 1110 public elementary schools	98.9%	5	100.0	98.1	99.1	95.2	91.3	92.9	97.1	95.4	92.0	97.9		$10,486	$262	$10,224
Jamestown Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 N Delaware St	Arlington	22207	Arlington County	Arlington County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(703) 228-5275	456	39	11.8	2.9%	329 (72.1%)	6 (1.3%)	46 (10.1%)	22 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (11.6%)	93	13^th of 1111 public elementary schools	98.8%		92.8	20^th of 1110 public elementary schools	98.2%	7		94.0	96.5	97.3		94.6	91.0	96.5	97.3		89.5	$15,107	$29	$15,078

Frequently Asked Questions about Kent Gardens Elementary

Is Kent Gardens Elementary a good school?

Yes! Kent Gardens Elementary is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 4^th of 1111 Virginia elementary schools.

What district is Kent Gardens Elementary in?

Fairfax County Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Kent Gardens Elementary?

Students at Kent Gardens Elementary are 53% White, 26% Asian, 9% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 3% African American.

How many students attend Kent Gardens Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 918 students attended Kent Gardens Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Kent Gardens Elementary attend?

Students who attend Kent Gardens Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Longfellow Middle
High : McLean High

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresNewAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 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.