| Metric | Arlington Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 28,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 42 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $20,000/yr | $13,700/yr | ↑ 46% above avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 9/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Public Schools (this district) | 9/10 | 81st | 28,000 |
| Arlington County Public Schools | 9/10 | 81st | 27,562 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 132 rated districts in VA → 81st percentile → 9/10.
Source: Virginia Dept. of Education SOL, division English Reading & Mathematics pass rates, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Arlington Public Schools
Families in zip code 22202 (Arlington, Virginia) are assigned to Arlington Public Schools for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Arlington Public Schools spent $20,023 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), roughly in line with Virginia’s statewide $20,000 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 1,770 students, an estimated 86% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 40 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Arlington Public Schools qualifies as a very large district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. The district enrolls approximately 28,000 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
Understanding the 9/10 Rating
With a rating of 9/10 (excellent), Arlington Public Schools ranks among Virginia’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Virginia’s SOL (Standards of Learning) English Reading & Mathematics assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Virginia is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Arlington Public Schools ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Virginia on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 22202 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 22202
Children in zip code 22202 are assigned to Arlington Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 22202, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Arlington Public Schools at (402)478-4173 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Virginia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Arlington
For families considering a purchase in the Arlington area, district assignment matters financially. Because Arlington Public Schools serves zip code 22202, homes in and around zip code 22202 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Virginia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Arlington Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 22202.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Arlington Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 22202 data.