U.S. News & World Report has published its 2025 list of the best middle schools by state. Among public and private schools in Virginia, Mary G. Porter Traditional in Woodbridge ranked No. 3 in the state, the highest for NoVA schools.
U.S. News ranks schools based on state test performance, graduation, and “how well they prepare their students for high school.” There were 1,044 schools included in Virginia. There is no national ranking for these lists.
Mary G. Porter Traditional is a school for first through eighth grade and is part of Prince William County Public Schools. U.S. News noted that it has 675 students, with 41 full-time teachers. Ninety-four percent of students scored at or above proficient level in math, and 89 percent scored at or above proficient level in reading.
The first two spots for middle school went to Old Donation School in Virginia Beach and St. Paul Elementary in St. Paul. Several other Northern Virginia schools ranked high on the list, including:
- Williamsburg Middle in Arlington at No. 4
- Rocky Run Middle in Chantilly at No. 5
- Pennington Traditional in Manassas at No. 6
- Lake Braddock Secondary in Burke at No. 7
- Carson Middle in Herndon at No. 12
- Longfellow Middle in Falls Church at No. 13
U.S. News & World Report also recently published its ranking of the top elementary schools. On that list, Sangster Elementary in Springfield ranked No. 2, followed by Arlington Traditional in Arlington at No. 4, and Haycock Elementary in Falls Church at No. 5. Mary G. Porter Traditional ranked lower among elementary schools at No. 21.
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