In a region known for the high quality of its school systems, you’re likely to find an amazing education no matter where you settle. But many residents may wonder how the many public high schools in NoVA compare to each other. To determine which schools stand out from the pack, we looked at data for 2021–2022— the first full school year that students were back in the classroom after the pandemic, and the most recent year for which data was available from the Virginia Department of Education as of press time. Here’s our ranking of the Top 25 high schools in Northern Virginia.
Methodology
This ranking uses data from the 2021–2022 school year reported to the Virginia Department of Education, 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 its final ranking. *Enrollment and graduating class size were not included in the ranking.
1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Alexandria
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,904
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 452
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 50%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 94.53%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 68.91%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 4.76%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 100%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 100%
2. Langley High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: McLean
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,049
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 476
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 24.81%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 55.73%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 48.12%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 9.06%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.4%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 87.61%
3. McLean High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: McLean
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,368
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 560
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 20.81%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 52.4%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 47.64%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 11.93%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.6%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 84.74%
4. Freedom High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: South Riding
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,055
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 555
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 10.08%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 36.61%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 49.59%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 11.27%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.1%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 86.9%
5. Oakton High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Vienna
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,638
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 666
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 17.13%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 54.42%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 53.71%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.56%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.7%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 81.75%
6. Madison High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Vienna
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,213
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 582
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 22.3%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 48.97%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 47.22%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.83%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.1%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 79.05%
7. Rock Ridge High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,378
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 349
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 9.69%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 40.85%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 46.11%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.13%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.6%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 81.98%
8. Meridian High School
Falls Church City Public Schools
City: Falls Church
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 849
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 223
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 11.16%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 46.15%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 61.95%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 10.48%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.7%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 73.18%
9. Lightridge High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Aldie
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,436
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 167
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 5.81%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 42.16%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 42.13%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 9.41%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 100%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 85.63%
10. Robinson Secondary School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Fairfax
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 3,699
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 645
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 13.38%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 29.27%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 59.96%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.22%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.8%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 78.04%
11. Yorktown High School
Arlington Public Schools
City: Arlington
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,533
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 597
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 10.62%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 44.63%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 43.92%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 9.69%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 96%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 81.61%
12. Independence High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,829
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 392
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 5.45%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 37.67%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 45.62%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.25%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 83.42%
13. John Champe High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Aldie
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,690
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 536
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 7.73%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 32.66%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 43.46%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.98%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.5%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 87.79%
14. Washington-Liberty High School
Arlington Public Schools
City: Arlington
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,551
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 637
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 10.55%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 43.35%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 67.65%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 15.56%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 92.8%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 77.91%
15. Stone Bridge High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,740
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 426
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 5.59%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 37.65%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 40.05%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.82%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.9%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 79.23%
16. Broad Run High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,576
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 411
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 7.69%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 34.85%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 42.15%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 14.16%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.6%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 77.56%
17. Woodson High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Fairfax
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,490
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 642
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 12.82%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 44.67%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 40.64%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 25.59%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.4%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 77.23%
18. Battlefield High School
Prince William County Public Schools
City: Haymarket
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,561
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 774
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 8.45%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 35.59%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 29.63%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 16.18%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.6%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 73.87%
19. Briar Woods High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Ashburn
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,799
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 472
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 5.24%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 51.58%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 46.53%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 17.61%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.2%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 85.16%
20. West Springfield High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: West Springfield
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,578
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 647
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 13.24%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 45.06%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 33.48%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 10.87%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.9%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 69.4%
21. Riverside High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Leesburg
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,822
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 464
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 4.2%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 34.88%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 48.57%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 13.69%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.9%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 83%
22. Chantilly High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Chantilly
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,965
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 742
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 20.93%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 44.59%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 38.41%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 16.44%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 97.3%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 75.84%
23. Lake Braddock Secondary School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Burke
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 4,381
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 695
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 18.12%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 31.45%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 38.1%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 9.54%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 98.4%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 71.79%
24. Marshall High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
City: Falls Church
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 2,073
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 526
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 10.8%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 43.7%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 54.2%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 16.56%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 94.9%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 63.6%
25. Loudoun Valley High School
Loudoun County Public Schools
City: Purcellville
2021–2022 Total Enrollment*: 1,242
Class of 2022 Total Students*: 338
2021–2022 SOL Math Pass Advanced Rate: 1.29%
2021–2022 SOL Reading Pass Advanced Rate: 31.17%
2021–2022 AP/IB Combined Enrollment Rate: 48.26%
2021–2022 Chronic Absenteeism Rate: 19.06%
Class of 2022 On-Time Graduation Rate: 99.1%
2022 Rate of Advanced Diplomas: 84.68%
Feature image courtesy Thomas Jefferson High School For Science and Technology
This story originally ran in our October issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
