Cardinal Elementary School

1644 N MCKINLEY RD ARLINGTON VA 22205

Top 25% School in Virginia

Ranked 101 of 181 in Virginia

See top schools in Arlington

About Cardinal Elementary School

Cardinal Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, uniquely combines creative education with community-oriented design. In 2021, this facility opened as one of the first net-zero energy schools in Virginia, providing a model for sustainability and a hands-on learning experience for students. Families are offered a lively PTA, after-school enrichment experiences, and community- and academic-oriented program spaces. With some of the highest rankings in the Commonwealth for their district, Arlington Public Schools offer strong academics, an inclusive environment, and modern, creative learning spaces. Many families consider it the best elementary school in Virginia.

Contact Information

Address

1644 N MCKINLEY RD ARLINGTON VA 22205

View on Map

Phone

(703) 228-5280

Call Now

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 50%
Reading 50%
State average proficiency is 50% in Math and 50% in Reading.
66
Full-time Teachers
16 : 1
Student-Teacher Ratio
704
Total Students
$92257
Avg. Teacher Salary

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world innovations.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

TOP 101 IN STEM IN STATE

Robotics & STEM
at Cardinal Elementary School

2.5X
More likely to persue STEM Careers
80%
Jobs that will require STEM in 2030
2.5X
More likely to persue STEM Careers
80%
Jobs that will require STEM in 2030
  • 🤖 Coding & Debugging
  • 🧪 Hobby Electronics and Engineering
  • 👩‍💻 Apply Math in Science and Engineering
  • 🛠️ 3D Printing
🚀
Hands-on with real robots
🏆
Led by competition winners
🎓
STEM career pathways

School Ratings

Ranked

101

of 181 in Virginia

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

Read More

Mansfield Public Schools Educator Spotlight: Pathways of a Fourth-Grade Teacher

MANSFIELD — Inside the brick building on East Street, four educators who began teaching within 2 years of each other, all spending the beginning of their careers teaching fourth grade at Jordan/Jackson Elementary School...

Read More

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 8:50 AM – 3:50 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 8:35 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Student Demographics

White 76.14%
Asian 3.55%
Hispanic 6.68%
Black 3.98%
Two+ Races 9.66%
Native Am. 0%
White
76.14%
Asian
3.55%
Hispanic
6.68%
Black
3.98%
Two+ Races
9.66%
Native Am.
0%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 704
48.86%
344 Female
51.14%
360 Male

Student Population

704 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 16 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

453 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Latest News

Cardinal Elementary is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month while hosting Fall 2025 enrichment registration, building excitement for the 2025-26 school year.

FAQ

Q: Are there any technology-centered clubs for students at Cardinal Elementary School?

A: Yes, there are opportunities for students to participate in clubs that explore coding, robotics, and other technology-based clubs.

Q: How does Cardinal Elementary School promote kindness and respect?

A: The school has behavior-building programs and groups that support peers.

Q: Are there family volunteer opportunities available at Cardinal Elementary School?

A: Yes, parents can help with events, reading groups, and classroom activities.

Q: Are there after-school enrichment classes at Cardinal Elementary School?

A: Yes, the programs include arts, language, and recreational programs.

Q: What kind of wellness activities are at Cardinal Elementary School?

A: Students are involved in mindfulness practices, wellness lessons, and health challenges.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

  • Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
  • Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
  • Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

  • Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
  • Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
  • Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

  • Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
  • Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
  • Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3
ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10
F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2
SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

What Parents Say

Cardinal Elementary School

If you’re a parent, please share the highlights of your experience with Cardinal Elementary School

terms and conditions
Feedback

DISCLAIMER

The information provided about schools is for general reference only and may not be 100% accurate or up to date. We recommend contacting the respective school directly to confirm the latest details and ensure accuracy.