Northern Virginians take education seriously, and the area’s public high schools are a reflection of the time, funds, and energy spent setting students up for future success. We’ve ranked NoVA’s Top 25 High Schools — and highlighted some of the faculty and students who are making a difference in their schools and their communities. See how the list has changed from our 2023 ranking. Plus, read our interview with Mike Mukai, the new principal of Thomas Jefferson High School.
Methodology
This ranking uses data reported to the Virginia Department of Education from the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 school years, the most recently available at press time. To determine the Top 25 public high schools in Northern Virginia, we looked at a number of factors we deemed most important: the percentage of students who earned advanced diplomas; graduation rates; chronic absentee rates; Standards of Learning test (SOL) pass advanced rates for math and reading; and combined AP/IB enrollment rates for all of the four-year public high schools in Northern Virginia. High schools from the following school systems were considered: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas City, Manassas Park, Prince William, and Stafford. The list was then weighted based on how many times each school appeared in the Top 25 for each of these categories. We took the average of each school’s placement in each category to determine the final rankings. *Enrollment and Class of 2025 total students were not included in the ranking.
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Alexandria
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,111
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 501
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 74%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 84%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 69.4%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 10.62%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 100%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 100%
2. Langley High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: McLean
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,184
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 542
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 31%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 64%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 55.72%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 7.38%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.4%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 86.14%
3. Meridian High School
District: Falls Church City Public Schools
City: Falls Church
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 897
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 226
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 23%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 55%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 93.86%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 7.76%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.1%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 81.13%
4. Freedom High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Chantilly
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,888
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 502
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 23%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 45%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 55.59%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.43%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 89.46%
5. Lightridge High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Aldie
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,032
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 467
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 19%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 40%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 54.58%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.19%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.3%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 85.22%
6. Madison High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Vienna
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,094
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 531
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 25%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 49%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 53.92%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.46%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.7%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 78.18%
7. Woodgrove High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Purcellville
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,573
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 420
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 15%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 41%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 47.68%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.19%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.9%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 78.41%
8. Woodson High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Fairfax
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,447
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 601
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 30%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 53%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 46.57%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.73%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 74.53%
9. McLean High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: McLean
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,438
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 634
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 30%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 54%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 65.5%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 11.42%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 96.7%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 80.45%
10. Briar Woods High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,865
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 453
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 15%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 53%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 54.68%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 18.01%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.1%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 82.14%
11. Oakton High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Vienna
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,624
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 647
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 28%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 55%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 58.54%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.91%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.1%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 81.15%
12. Independence High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,172
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 537
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 22%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 45%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 53.94%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.52%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.4%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 84.38%
13. Rock Ridge High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,606
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 379
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 26%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 43%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 57.44%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 19.16%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.9%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 80.85%
14. Loudoun Valley High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Purcellville
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,154
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 292
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 8%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 46%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 64.58%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.28%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.6%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 80.34%
15. Riverside High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Leesburg
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,717
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 489
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 13%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 33%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 60.68%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.05%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.3%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 84.65%
16. John Champe High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Aldie
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,855
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 453
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 17%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 38%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 47.49%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 17.5%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.5%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 80.73%
17. West Springfield High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: West Springfield
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,809
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 675
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 14%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 49%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 41.26%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 11.14%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.3%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 65.52%
18. Yorktown High School
District: Arlington Public Schools
City: Arlington
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,600
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 664
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 12%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 43%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 46.5%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 12.88%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 96.3%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 78.87%
19. Robinson Secondary School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Fairfax
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 3,722
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 610
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 11%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 30%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 54.51%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.37%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.7%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 73.33%
20. Marshall High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Falls Church
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,218
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 557
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 14%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 46%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 48.29%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.77%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 95.8%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 58.53%
21. Battlefield High School
District: Prince William County Schools
City: Haymarket
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,067
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 576
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 10%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 37%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 41.12%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 10.31%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.9%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 76.01%
22. Stone Bridge High School
District: Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 1,636
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 449
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 11%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 37%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 51.65%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.94%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.4%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 76.04%
23. Lake Braddock Secondary School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Burke
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 4,430
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 760
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 21%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 32%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 41.91%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 11.48%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.7%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 67.66%
24. Gainesville High School
District: Prince William County Public Schools
City: Gainesville
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,653
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 655
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 10%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 29%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 47.23%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.81%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.1%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 62.2%
25. South County High School
District: Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Lorton
2024–2025 Total Enrollment*: 2,107
Class of 2025 Total Students*: 592
2024–2025 SOL Math: Pass Advanced Rate: 10%
2024–2025 SOL Reading: Pass Advanced Rate: 39%
2024–2025 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 42.62%
2023–2024 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.08%
Class of 2024 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.1%
Class of 2024 Rate of Advanced Diploma: 68.18%
Feature image of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology by Emily Campos
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
