- Enrollment
- 4,655
- Students per teacher
- 14.4:1
- Resource Index
- 56/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Alexandria, VA
James K. Polk Elementary
Federal NCES profile for James K. Polk Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 54/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 510012000043
👥 S:T ratio 39
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 46
📋 Attendance 59
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
James K. Polk Elementary earns 54/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 71% of Virginia schools. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Virginia schools.
- #7 of 42
- schools in Alexandria · Resource Index
- 54
- Resource Index · Higher
- 15.2:1
- large classes for Virginia
- 73.7%
- free-lunch eligible
James K. Polk Elementary has class sizes larger than 71% of Virginia schools. Computed live against every Virginia school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, James K. Polk Elementary ranks #7 of 42 schools in Alexandria, VA.
School address
District: Alexandria City Public Schools · Virginia
NCES ID 510012000043 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+30 students YoY
James K. Polk Elementary held near 833 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+30 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 53.5 → 50.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+30 students YoY 510012000043 · Alexandria, VA Other · MID · TRAD
804 enr · 15.2:1 · 73.7% lunch · RII 54
Nearest enrollment peer: Alexandria City High School (4,655 students)
James K. Polk Elementary held near 833 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+30 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 53.5 → 50.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Virginia schools → · Find another →
James K. Polk Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Alexandria Cit
Alexandria City High School
4,655 students
- Francis C. Ham 1,597
Francis C. Hammond Middle
1,597 students
- George Washing 1,458
George Washington Middle
1,458 students
- Patrick Henry 1,075
Patrick Henry K-8 School
1,075 students
- Mount Vernon E 933
Mount Vernon Elementary
933 students
- This school 804
James K. Polk Elementary
804 students
What this shows James K. Polk Elementary reports 804 students on the CCD universe file.
How James K. Polk Elementary compares
James K. Polk Elementary held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Virginia and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Virginia | Virginia avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.2:1 | ▲ 9% | 13.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 73.7% | ▲ 28% | 57.6% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 804 | top 23% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.2:1
Leaner classes than 45% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
804
Bigger than 86% of US schools by enrollment, a large campus nationally.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
73.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 28% above the Virginia average of 57.6%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.2:1
students per teacher
- 9% above state mean
Top 71% in Virginia - lower ratio than 29% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
16.3%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$21,716
per pupil, district-wide
- above Virginia avg of $15,892
Well above the U.S. public-school average, reflecting substantially higher local or state investment per enrolled student.
Support staff
Counselors3.0 FTE
Per 268 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.1 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 31.7%
African American 25.6%
White 24.5%
Asian 11.9%
Two or More 5.8%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 31.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 75.6/100
Simpson diversity index - at 75.6, James K. Polk Elementary is more mixed than the Virginia school average of 53.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Alexandria City Public Schools reports $21,716 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How James K. Polk Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria City High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Francis C. Hammond Middle | Larger | Similar economic need | No ratio data |
| George Washington Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Patrick Henry K-8 School | Larger | Higher economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Mount Vernon Elementary | Similar size | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to James K. Polk Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,597
- Students per teacher
- -
- Resource Index
- 72/100
- Enrollment
- 1,458
- Students per teacher
- 14.6:1
- Resource Index
- 65/100
- Enrollment
- 1,075
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 933
- Students per teacher
- 17.6:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Similar other schools in Alexandria
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Hayfield Secondary
Standard public school
3,256 students 17.3:1 students per teacher
Patrick Henry K-8 School
Standard public school
1,075 students 16.8:1 students per teacher
Parklawn Elementary
Standard public school
963 students 16.6:1 students per teacher
Mount Vernon Elementary
Standard public school
933 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Hybla Valley Elementary
Standard public school
878 students 14.4:1 students per teacher
Groveton Elementary
Standard public school
764 students 13.2:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~804 students)
Frequently asked questions about James K. Polk Elementary
How many students attend James K. Polk Elementary?
James K. Polk Elementary has 804 students enrolled. It is a public school in Alexandria, VA. CCD year-over-year: 803 (2022-23) → 833 (2023-24), nearly flat (+30).
What is the student-teacher ratio at James K. Polk Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James K. Polk Elementary is 15.2:1, which is 9% higher than the Virginia average of 13.9:1 and 3% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at James K. Polk Elementary?
73.7% of students at James K. Polk Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Virginia average of 57.6%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of James K. Polk Elementary?
The largest demographic group at James K. Polk Elementary is Hispanic or Latino at 31.7% of enrollment, in Alexandria, VA. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 75.6/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for James K. Polk Elementary?
James K. Polk Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 54/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does James K. Polk Elementary rank among schools in Alexandria?
By Resource Investment Index, James K. Polk Elementary ranks #7 of 42 schools in Alexandria, VA. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Alexandria on the city page.
What other schools are in Alexandria City Public Schools?
Besides James K. Polk Elementary, Alexandria City Public Schools also operates Alexandria City High School (4,655 students), Francis C. Hammond Middle (1,597 students), and George Washington Middle (1,458 students). See the Alexandria City Public Schools district page for the complete list.