2023 Best Public Schools in Arlington

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  333 reviews

Senior: Yorktown High School is a great high school with excelling programs for learning!! The staff and teachers are majority very helpful and kind and challenge students daily to become better students and people in general. The only negative aspect of the school is the lack of diversity and the common bias against certain groups, students can sometimes show exclusive behaviors, and also the culture of "popularity" is a common theme and social aspect of the school. Still, it is relatively easy to connect and find your kind of people.... Read 333 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,514

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  557 reviews

Freshman: Everyone there is very nice and accepting. Teachers are very nice and there are a lot of options for different classes. Depending on what classes you take you might have a lot of homework. The school offers many different enjoyable extracurricular activities as well. They have an art hall with a bunch of art classes you can take. There is also a marching band, concert band, symphonic band, orchestra, and different choirs you can join. Washington Liberty high school also offers AP classes as early as freshman year. They also are one of the only schools that has a full IB program as well. The kids there are very diverse and interesting. Washington Liberty also has a theater program. This high school has many sports teams as well. There’s crew, football, lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cheer, ultimate frisbee and more. We also have lots of clubs at our school. Washington Liberty offers lots of opportunities that will set you up for success in the real world.... Read 557 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,436

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Washington, DC•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  33 reviews

Senior: My experience with Basis DC has overall been a blessing. The opportunities that have stemmed from the location of the school and the students within it are unmatched. While challenging, taking predominantly AP courses has taught me a new type of reliance and work-life balance. The main thing I wish was better is the representation in the classroom. The lack of BIPOC ( Black, Indigenous, Person of color) has genuinely affected me. I wish Basis felt like a safe space for me as a black woman during many points. Despite the lack of representation, the teachers who made it their business to empathize and listen while not making up for everything made my experience slightly better.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 663

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Falls Church City Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  163 reviews

Junior: The school is very good, but the community is very high-class (economically) and is extremely liberal. This means that the school itself has great facilities and resources. However, it is a public school, so it doesn't spend as much as you would expect on teachers. This means that the education is very inconsistent, as different teachers have different styles of teaching and the counseling staff is just okay. It also means that the food is not that great. Lastly, the sports are not very good, which also has an effect on the school culture, although it's not like it is non-existent. The course range is very wide, and the classes have fairly good pacing, so students can catch up or go ahead of the class independently outside of the class. The extracurriculars are pretty good, as they are mostly student-led and get decent amounts of funding. Overall, this school is a great one for you to attend if you have the money to live in the community.... Read 163 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 859

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• DC Prep Public Charter Schools, DC•

• 4-8

• grade A+

• Students 347

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Washington, DC•

• Public School•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Great school! Great students! Great teachers! I am so glad my child goes to such a multicultural and unique school. I’ve seen her grow so much as a learner and a person and it doesn’t hurt that she can also speak Chinese!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 577

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Arlington Traditional School (ATS) was the start of many lifelong friendships for my children even though they came from all over the County. It fully prepared them for more rigorous academics in middle school, high school and eventually college. The teachers and the administration were terrific. My son even went back to visit his kindergarten teacher after his high school graduation to thank her for giving him such a great start. They were involved in sports, scouts and the extended day program after school. Fourth and fifth graders participate in music programs with their choice of instruments and a chorus. Every class does a play and it is performed in front of the school at the Friday assembly. Parent involvement is strong and there is a very internationally diverse enrollment. NOTE: My two children were at Arlington Traditional School in its former facility before it moved for the 21-22 school year, so I can't comment on the current facility.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 615

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: Moved to the area after many years abroad, and this is my child’s first experience at an American elementary school. The teachers and staff have been incredibly welcoming, the students are diverse and the curriculum is interesting and challenging. We definitely definitely made the right choice with this school!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 643

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Washington, DC•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: It's very nice and very fasts growing school in DC my daughter she starts kg , school when they school was opened in 2011 she is now 5th grade she Love the school so much & all staff are very much familiar they work hard to bring this point with ms Williams Deborah.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 514

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  7 reviews

Alum: The county is crazy about test scores, so they really push everyone to take harder math classes, but overall, this school is great. The teachers care a lot about what they do, the area is nice, and the students are always learning and taking advantage of the opportunities there. I spent all of my three years of middle school at Swanson, and although not all of the kids were nice, it gave me an incredibly strong foundation for the rest of my academic career.... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,018

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Went there K-5 best school ever!! Everyone is so kind, and you never feel left out. You get so much extra help if you need it and they don’t make a big deal about it.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 511

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Falls Church City Public Schools, VA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: I really liked the experience, the environment was very welcoming and everyone was kind. It was easy to talk to teachers and the faculty and staff were always ready to help with anything. The school had many activities for students to be involved in and had something that everyone could join.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 597

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: I absolutely loved going to school here from kindergarten all the way through 5th grade. All of the teachers were amazing, and it was a very good foundational learning experience for the following years.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 618

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Jamestown is an excellent school. Teachers care and has become a multicultural school. One of the best Montessori programs in the county. I have seen it grow and develop when I attended in 1968, their was pre kindergarden classes now it is thriving as my grandchildren attend. After living in Arlington for 51 years I can say the entire county has great school, your children will be accepted to many colleges just because the attend Arlington schools!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 511

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  421 reviews

Alum: As an alumni of Woodrow wilson I can say this school molded me into a better person and created the best high school experience for me, that’s because of three main things. Teachers/administrators, academics and resources. Starting with teachers and administrators, they were my mentor and friend. Ms. Harstorn for example (my English teacher) alway pushed me past my limits in writing, she taught me how to think out the box, be a better writing, how to apply those skills to my college essay that got me into 15 colleges but she also was a friend, who I could sit in the class with during lunch and talk, was there when family life was hard.. Academic in Wilson was the best, I believe that what was Wilson was most known. I got to take biomedical science classes all four years which ended up helping me find my passion, nursing. Then resources, it allowed me to get in my school now with a scholarship due to all the help I was handed and guided with like college workshops, speakers, etc... Read 421 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,951

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 2.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Freshman: It was a good experience I went there from 2014 to 2017 6 grade is fantastic Seventh grade its a living hell. 8th grade is amazing... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 940

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• KIPP DC Public Charter Schools, DC•

• K-4

• grade A

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Alum: Tuckahoe is a very good school, however it is not diverse. Plus, they don’t help prepare their students for middle school very well.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 461

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 536

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• DC Prep Public Charter Schools, DC•

• 4-8

• grade A

• Students 352

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 425

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  420 reviews

Junior: Wakefield High is known for it's family oriented focus. Students who have graduated still hear from their teachers and counselors, and are always ready to advise. I am proud to be a Wakefield Warrior! As a student of Wakefield, the ups and downs of life are looked forward to with optimism. Thank you Wakefield!... Read 420 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,561

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: Excellent neighborhood school with thoughtful, dedicated teachers and an outstanding principal. My son's transition to Kindergarten has been seamless and we have proactively received extra support when needed. I look forward to getting to know our Longbranch "family" even better.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 444

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Arlington Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: McKinley Elementary School is the reason we moved to this area. It is the most impressive school with surrounding neighborhoods flooded with kids and involved parents. Our kids have incredible enrichment opportunities, phenomenal teachers, a wonderful music program, technology opportunities, and exposure to diversity of all kids including national origin diversity, racially diversity, religious diversity, handicap-able students, socially diverse families, etc. This school feels close-knit and inviting and exceeds our expectations each year.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 682

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Two Rivers Public Charter Schools, DC•

• PK, K-8

• grade A

• Students 393

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1