Summary:
Zip code 22203 is served by a single public school, Barrett Elementary, which enrolls 500 students in grades PK–5 as part of Arlington County Public Schools, a district ranked in the top 20% of Virginia. There are no middle or high schools in the area, so families must leave the immediate zip code for secondary education.
Barrett is a school of contrasts. While its district is highly ranked — 26th out of 131 districts — Barrett itself ranks in the bottom 20% of Virginia elementary schools (924th of 1,111 in 2025–2026). In every tested subject and grade, Barrett scores below both the district and state averages. For example, 3rd grade math proficiency is 51.32%, compared to 80.88% for the district and 74.04% statewide; 4th grade reading is 56.72% versus the district’s 78.69%. The school spends $20,535 per student and maintains a favorable 9.5:1 student–teacher ratio, yet proficiency gaps remain 20–30 points behind the district in early grades. Barrett also has a 57% free/reduced-price lunch rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of 14.8%, equal to the state average but higher than the district’s 12.1%.
There are some positive signs. The math achievement gap narrows considerably by 5th grade, where proficiency reaches 69.88% — just 2.5 points below the state average — while 5th grade reading and science both sit at 60.24%. Year-to-year trends show stability, with a slight improvement in VA Studies. Given its ample resources and improving late-elementary math performance, Barrett shows potential for growth, especially if early-grade reading and chronic absenteeism become focuses. For parents, this school offers strong per-pupil investment and small classes, but it faces significant academic and equity challenges that require attention.
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