Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Swanson Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1033 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 4 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

14 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted October 28, 2012

Swanson is an awesome experience fot middle schoolers? Solid academics and elective experiences that round out the whole student. Music depaartment is absolutely surperior!!!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2012

My daughter attended 8th grade at Swanson after we moved to the U.S. It was her first time in the American school system. We were so pleased with Swanson--the teachers, the principal, the curriculum. She felt so supported and really matured during the year. The communication between students and teachers and teachers and parents was excellent. We could not have been happier!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 17, 2012

The school and teachers are overall fantastic. The school superintendent Patrick Murphy is bad. He is trying to change to block scheduling - 90 minute classes - for children. It's not proven to work. It has been tried and failed in high school. He did it in Fairfax schools. When he left Fairfax they dropped block scheduling. It didn't work. We have a successful school with achieving children. He is trying to narrow the learning gap by lowering the achieving children to close that gap. He should leave the school and school district alone. Murphy will make this school and others NOT Great Schools.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 7, 2012

My child attends Swanson. She got sick with a strep infection that attacked her brain resulting in many challenges. The Swanson staff were unbelievably responsive and compassionate. This was a very high-performing child, that overnight had to deal with very complex symptoms. The school teaching staff, Administrators and support staff have worked with us to adjust her schedule and accomodate her needs. Swanson is awesome!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 13, 2011

I am a new resident of Arlington County, My grandson attends Swanson Middle School. The teachers, staff, and all members of the school are doing an excellent work with him. I have notice improvement is a short time. Keep Up The Good Work.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 12, 2010

I've had one child attend Swanson for 6-8th grades and now another is in 7th grade. We are very, very pleased with the school. The teachers care and take teaching seriously. The principal, Chris Forrester, is very wise and understands Middle Schoolers. The counseling staff are top rate. I could go on and on.......
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 20, 2010

This is a fantastic school. The teachers are truly dedicated and the staff is extremely helpful. The students were very welcoming to our kids when we moved here last year. What an incredible opportunity for our kids to attend this amazing school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 8, 2009

This school is one of the most positive, helping schools i have ever attended.And that says something. The teachers are always kind and helping and the quality of the education they offer is equally impressive. They also have programs that talk about how bad drugs and alcohol is and talk about bullying with the kids as well. There are not many problems we have here. The students are acheivers that reach for the stars, and with the help from the teachers skills and knowledge most of them are honor role with great, deserved grades. I highly recommend this school for any student.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 7, 2009

This school has a tendency to make students who have a history as slackers and turn them into a strong willed student. This year 75% students in the 6th grade got honor role which include either b's or a's. It is a positive environment with great supportive staff. The teachers have been to colleges such as harvard, yale ect. Im a student that attends this school and i will say it is amazing and i couldnt of gone to a better middle school!
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 17, 2008

Swanson is a great school. Teachers are helpful and make sure no one is left behind. Extended day is also a great place for your child to spend the after school hours, with many activities, homework time, and great friends, peace of mind for busy parents!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2008

Swanson is a great school with awesome teachers administrators. When you are there for only three years it is hard to get juiced about a school but Swanson has many programs to help get kids involved. One addition i would suggest: I would create an initaitive to get kids ready for the Block schedule they will face in High school. Some klids especially boys have issues related to attention span and longer classes. Doing home work the savme day it is assigned, and problems when they are absent one day from the compressed classes that cove[r] so much material. These are all challeges that can be met if addressed early.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 1, 2008

Swanson creates a wonderful learning environment. It is both supportive and challenging while offering a variety of academic experiences to a diverse student body. I would agree that most of the teachers are more than competent but none has yet struck me as extraordinary.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 11, 2008

Great school but not a large amount of the teachers are great. Most teachers are Good. Over it is a great place
—Submitted by a student


Posted December 13, 2007

I love this school! All the teachers are nice and we have tons of electives and very strong team. A large amount of fun and bully free! I would rate this school a high score of 5+ stars!!!
—Submitted by a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

309 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
91%

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
91%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 86% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2012.

243 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
68%

2008

 
 
64%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 88% in 2012.

313 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
95%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a
Math

The state average for Math was 58% in 2012.

246 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
78%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
80%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

The state average for English: Reading was 89% in 2012.

307 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
94%
English: Writing

The state average for English: Writing was 88% in 2012.

303 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
96%

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
95%
History and Social Science

The state average for History and Social Science was 88% in 2012.

2012

 
 
n/a

2010

 
 
n/a

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 60% in 2012.

173 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
94%
Science

The state average for Science was 92% in 2012.

308 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
91%

2009

 
 
95%

2008

 
 
97%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students91%
Female students92%
Male students89%
Black students85%
Asian students91%
Hispanic68%
White students98%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged63%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Students with disabilities66%
Students without disabilities95%
Limited English proficient students70%
Proficient in English96%
Not migrant91%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students86%
Female students87%
Male students85%
Black students62%
Asian students93%
Hispanic70%
White students95%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged59%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Students with disabilities55%
Students without disabilities94%
Limited English proficient students73%
Proficient in English90%
Not migrant86%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students96%
Female students97%
Male students95%
Black students83%
Asian students100%
Hispanic85%
White students99%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities79%
Students without disabilities98%
Limited English proficient students83%
Proficient in English98%
Not migrant96%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students78%
Female students81%
Male students75%
Black students50%
Asian students73%
Hispanic45%
White students88%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged43%
Not economically disadvantaged85%
Students with disabilities42%
Students without disabilities84%
Limited English proficient students57%
Proficient in English82%
Not migrant78%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

English: Reading

All Students96%
Female students95%
Male students96%
Black students88%
Asian students97%
Hispanic82%
White students99%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged79%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Students with disabilities79%
Students without disabilities98%
Limited English proficient students80%
Proficient in English98%
Not migrant96%

English: Writing

All Students96%
Female students96%
Male students96%
Black students94%
Asian students97%
Hispanic81%
White students99%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Students with disabilities91%
Students without disabilities97%
Limited English proficient students81%
Proficient in English98%
Not migrant96%

History and Social Science

All Studentsn/a
Male studentsn/a
Black studentsn/a
Students identified as economically disadvantagedn/a
Not economically disadvantagedn/a
Students with disabilitiesn/a
Proficient in Englishn/a
Not migrantn/a

Math

All Students86%
Female students87%
Male students85%
Black studentsn/a
Asian students100%
Hispanic64%
White students92%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged89%
Students with disabilities65%
Students without disabilities88%
Limited English proficient students70%
Proficient in English89%
Not migrant86%

Science

All Students99%
Female students98%
Male students100%
Black students100%
Asian students100%
Hispanic94%
White students100%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged98%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Students with disabilities97%
Students without disabilities99%
Limited English proficient students96%
Proficient in English100%
Not migrant99%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8, writing in grades 5 and 8, science in grades in 3, 5 and 8, and history in grades 3 through 8. The SOL tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. Data is not reported when there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".
  • In 2007-2008, this school was rated "Fully Accredited".

About the tests


Virginia school accreditation ratings reflect student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests and other assessments in English, history/social science, math and science. The 2009-2010 ratings are based on passing rates on tests taken during the 2008-2009 school year or on overall achievement during the three most recent years. Schools are identified as either Fully Accredited, Accredited with Warning, Conditionally Accredited or Accreditation Denied.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 75% in 2012.

237 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
100%

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Geometry

The state average for Geometry was 88% in 2010.

2010

 
 
100%

2009

 
 
n/a

2008

 
 
100%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Algebra I

All Students99%
Female students98%
Male students99%
Black students100%
Asian students100%
Hispanic100%
White students99%
Students identified as economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Students with disabilities100%
Students without disabilities99%
Limited English proficient students100%
Proficient in English99%
Not migrant99%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Virginia used the Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course tests to assess students in reading, writing, math, science and history/social science subjects at the end of each course, regardless of the student's grade level. The SOL End-of-Course tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Virginia. High school students must pass at least six SOL End-of-Course tests to graduate. The goal is for all students to pass the tests.

The different student groups are identified by the Virginia Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group in a school, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Virginia's state standards

Source: Virginia Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 68% 57%
Hispanic 14% 9%
Asian/Pacific Islander 11% 6%
Black 7% 26%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 15%N/A33%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 17N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

5800 N Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22205
Phone: (703) 228-5500

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools


Rivendell School
Arlington, VA


Kenmore Middle School
Arlington, VA


Corpus Christi School
Falls Church, VA


St. Agnes School
Arlington, VA



ADVERTISEMENT