Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 22201

Zip code 22201 in Arlington, VA is home to three elementary schools serving grades PK–5 — Arlington Science Focus School, Innovation Elementary, and Long Branch Elementary — all part of Arlington County Public Schools, a district currently ranked 26th out of 131 Virginia districts (4 stars). Enrollments range from 442 to 632 students, and despite sharing the same small geographic area, these schools show remarkably different outcomes in state rankings, test proficiency, and resource allocation.

Arlington Science Focus School is the clear academic leader, ranking 176th out of 1,111 Virginia elementary schools (84th percentile) with an average SOL proficiency around 85.8%, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (8.8%), and the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (16.5%). Notably, it achieves this while spending the least per student ($11,783) and maintaining the largest student-teacher ratio (15.4). Innovation Elementary sits in the middle, ranking 370th (67th percentile) with clear upward momentum — its average proficiency rose from 76.3% to 78.8%, and it beats the district average in 4th and 5th grade math and 3rd and 4th grade reading, despite having the highest share of economically disadvantaged students (42.7%). Long Branch Elementary ranks lowest at 623rd (44th percentile) with an average proficiency of 71.3%, yet it spends $22,279 per student — nearly double Arlington Science Focus — and has the smallest classes at an 11.3 student-teacher ratio.

The most striking takeaway is that higher spending and smaller classes don't guarantee better outcomes, as Long Branch lags Arlington Science Focus by 14.5 percentage points in average proficiency despite far greater resources. Innovation proves that demographics aren't destiny, outperforming Long Branch while serving more economically disadvantaged students. Science is the weakest subject across the zip code, with an average proficiency of 73.2% versus 79.8% in math and 77.9% in reading. Every school has a bright spot: Arlington Science Focus excels in reading (5th grade at 90.5% and Virginia Studies at 90%), Innovation shines in 4th grade math at 84.8%, and Long Branch tops both district and state averages in Virginia Studies at 82%. Chronic absenteeism is a non-issue here, with all three schools staying below the state's 14.8% rate.