Schools in Zip Code 22041

In zip code 22041 (Falls Church, Virginia), three elementary schools serve students under the Fairfax County Public Schools district, with grade configurations spanning pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, except for Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, which serves only PK–2. The schools are geographically close but academically very different. Belvedere Elementary is the standout performer, ranking in the 70th percentile statewide and exceeding district and state averages in most subjects, including 80.34% proficiency in 3rd-grade math and 84.62% in 4th-grade reading. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (8.4%) and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (56.11%). In contrast, Glen Forest Elementary ranks in the 7th percentile, with nearly all students (97.56%) eligible for free/reduced lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.1%. Its test scores lag far behind, with 5th-grade science at 40.4% proficiency versus the district's 72.65%.

Spending does not align with results. Glen Forest spends the most per student at $14,765, yet achieves the lowest outcomes. Belvedere spends the least at $13,890 and achieves the best results. This suggests poverty and absenteeism have a stronger influence than funding alone. The wide gap is notable within a single zip code: Belvedere's rank (337) is more than 700 positions higher than Glen Forest's (1,038). Fifth-grade math is a shared weakness, as both Glen Forest (41.46%) and Belvedere (58.82%) fall below district (66.58%) and state (72.39%) averages. Bailey's, despite being the largest school with 814 students, has no SOL test data due to its PK–2 structure, making direct academic comparison impossible, though its chronic absenteeism (10.9%) is below district and state averages.

For parents, the key takeaway is that school choice within this zip code matters immensely. Belvedere offers a consistently strong academic environment with lower poverty and absenteeism, while Glen Forest faces concentrated poverty and higher absenteeism, translating into lower scores. Bailey's is best evaluated by how its students perform after transitioning to intermediate schools. Despite being in the same respected district, these schools demonstrate that neighborhood-level factors and school leadership can create vastly different educational experiences.