Top Schools Methodology
While schools offer much more than test scores, academic results are the major factor in sending a child to school. To determine the top 25 percent of Northern Virginia elementary and middle schools, we used four different attributes to rank them, and they are ranked only in relation to other schools within that county. For high schools we used five attributes. The attributes used to rank schools in the counties all point to school academic quality. They are: the percentage of students who passed the 2015-16 Standards of Learning test (SOLs); the percentage of students who performed above average on the SOLs; the average SOL pass rate over a three-year time period (2013-2016); and the percentage of students who receive free/reduced lunch. For high schools we also factored in the percentage of students who graduated with advanced diplomas in the 2015-16 year. All information is from the Virginia Department of Education.
The attributes are weighted to determine a school’s final ranking; 2015-16 SOL scores count the most, Advanced Proficiency next, 2013-2016 SOL pass rates third and free/reduced lunch percentage last. For high schools, the advanced diploma percentages were ranked highest followed by the above statistics. We’ve also listed useful information such as teacher credentials, safety records and awards to give a better snapshot of a school.
Key
Advanced Diploma: percentage of students who graduated with an advanced diploma
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: percentage of students who passed the Standards of Learning test
Advanced Proficiency SOL Pass Rate (Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate): percentage of students who performed above average on the 2015-16 SOLs
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: average SOL pass rate over a three-year time period, showing long-term academic performance
Free/Reduced Lunch (F/R): percentage of students who received free or reduced lunch, showing the socio-economic breakdown of a school
Note: If any of the above information was not available for a school that school was not included.
(1) Thomas Jefferson High for Science and Technology
6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria
(2) Langley High
6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean
(3) Briar Woods High
22525 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn
(4) McLean High
1633 Davidson Road, McLean
(5) Stone Bridge High
43100 Hay Road, Ashburn
(6) Kettle Run High
7403 Academic Ave., Nokesville
(7) Oakton High
2900 Sutton Road, Vienna
(8) Loudoun Valley High
340 N. Maple Ave., Purcellville
Student Population: 1,338
Advanced Diploma: 80.3
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 91.5
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 20.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 85.93
F/R: 10.1
Teacher Credentials: 24% bachelor’s, 76% master’s
Safety: 11 alcohol, tobacco and other drug offenses, 21 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses
Awards: 2015-16 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
(9) Robinson Secondary
5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax
(10) Madison High
2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna
(11) John Champe High
41535 Sacred Mountain St., Aldie
(12) Woodson High
9525 Main St., Fairfax
(13) Freedom High
25450 Riding Center Drive, South Riding
Student Population: 1,616
Advanced Diploma: 74.5
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 93
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 21.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 85.93
F/R: 8.2
Teacher Credentials: 33% bachelor’s, 62% master’s, 4% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
(14) West Springfield High
6100 Rolling Road, Springfield
Student Population: 2,235
Advanced Diploma: 70.3
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 95.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 36.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 88.73
F/R: 10.1
Teacher Credentials: 25% bachelor’s, 72% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 28 alcohol, tobacco and other drug offenses, 21 offenses against person, 15 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
(15) Battlefield High
15000 Graduation Drive, Haymarket
(16) Woodgrove High
36811 Allder School Road, Purcellville
Student Population: 1,559
Advanced Diploma: 73.5
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 90.5
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 17
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 85
F/R: 6.3
Teacher Credentials: 26% bachelor’s, 71% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 18 alcohol, tobacco and other drug offenses
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award