Summary:
Zip code 22301 in Alexandria, VA is served by two public schools within Alexandria City Public Schools — a district ranked in the bottom quarter of Virginia — yet both schools outperform the district significantly and are on the rise. Naomi L. Brooks Elementary serves Pre-K through grade 5 with 319 students, while George Washington Middle serves grades 6–8 with 1,458 students. Both schools spend roughly $14.5–14.7K per student and have similar student–teacher ratios, but their academic profiles differ in important ways.
Naomi L. Brooks Elementary is the clear academic standout, ranking in the 69th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating. Its 5th grade reading proficiency is exceptional at 92.86%, far above the district (63.74%) and state (72.42%). Math and science scores are also above state averages across all grades. Brooks improved from the 47th to the 69th percentile in just two years, despite a chronic absenteeism rate of 14.9% that is slightly above the state average. Its lower free/reduced lunch rate (37.62%) compared to the middle school may be a factor in its stronger outcomes, but the school’s consistent literacy results point to a genuinely strong program.
George Washington Middle is an improving school with excellent attendance — just 8.4% chronic absenteeism, nearly half the state rate — and has climbed from the 22nd to the 43rd percentile over two years. Its advanced math results are stellar, with 100% proficiency in 8th grade Geometry and 99% in 7th grade Algebra I, but grade-level 8th grade math lags badly at 22.49% proficiency versus 46.86% statewide. Reading is solid and improves by grade, and science and civics slightly outpace the state. For parents, this means the elementary school is a high-performing choice, while the middle school offers strong attendance and advanced math pathways but needs attention for students not on the accelerated track.
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