Schools in Zip Code 22307

In zip code 22307 (Alexandria, VA), there are 3 schools in Fairfax County Public Schools: two elementary schools (Belle View Elementary and Bucknell Elementary) and one high school (West Potomac High), together serving about 3,448 students in a district ranked 39th out of 131 in Virginia. The two elementary schools in this area are moving in opposite directions. Bucknell Elementary has the highest poverty rate in the zip code (79.62% free/reduced-price lunch), yet it is the biggest improver, jumping from the 18th to the 38th percentile in state rankings and posting huge test-score gains in 5th grade science, reading, and math. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (10.6%), the highest spending per student ($19,403), and the lowest student-teacher ratio (10.5:1). In contrast, Belle View Elementary has lower poverty (37.71% FRPL) but has seen its state rank drop from the 48th to the 32nd percentile, and it now falls below district averages in most subjects.

West Potomac High is the largest school in the zip code (2,710 students) and the most challenged. Its chronic absenteeism rate of 18.3% is well above district and state averages, and its graduation rate (90.1%) and dropout rate (6.0%) are worse than the district and state. The school’s state rank improved from the 12th to the 29th percentile this year, with strong 9th-grade scores in Algebra II (97.67% proficient), Biology, and Geometry. However, upper-grade performance is a concern, especially 11th-grade Chemistry (10.81% proficient) and Earth Science (24.14%). This suggests that while 9th graders start strong, many lose momentum in later grades.

Overall, the zip code’s schools underperform their district, with all three ranking in the 29th to 38th percentile statewide. The most striking pattern is that Bucknell, despite having the highest economic disadvantage, outperforms the more affluent Belle View in several measures and has the lowest absenteeism. Resources appear concentrated where need is greatest, and the investment may be driving improvement. West Potomac remains a 1-star school, but its rising rank and strong 9th-grade results offer a foundation for future progress if the school can reduce chronic absenteeism and sustain academic gains through the upper grades.