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.
Alexandria
The two Alexandria middle schools did not have all of the data available to fit the formulas used.
Arlington
Swanson Middle
5800 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington
Student Population: 1,123
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 90.8
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 34.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 90.3
F/R: 13.8
Teacher Credentials: 35% bachelor’s, 61% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 40 offenses against persons
Awards: 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
Williamsburg Middle
3600 N. Harrison St., Arlington
Student Population: 1,198
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 94.2
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 38.2
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 93.6
F/R: 9.2
Teacher Credentials: 23% bachelor’s, 74% master’s, 3% doctoral
Safety: 28 offenses against persons
Awards: 2014-15 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Fairfax
Carson Middle
13618 McLearen Road, Herndon
Student Population: 1,471
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 94.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 52
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 88.9
F/R: 10.4
Teacher Credentials: 28% bachelor’s, 72% master’s
Safety: 14 offenses against persons
Awards: 2014-15 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
Cooper Middle
977 Balls Hill Road, McLean
Student Population: 766
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 96.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 40.4
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 87.8
F/R: 3
Teacher Credentials: 24% bachelor’s, 72% master’s, 3% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education
Excellence Award, 2015-16 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
Frost Midde
4101 Pickett Road, Fairfax
Student Population: 1,140
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 93.8
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 39
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 87.2
F/R: 9.7
Teacher Credentials: 20% bachelor’s, 78% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 28 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses, 13 other offenses against persons
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award, 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
Kilmer Middle
8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna
Student Population: 1,230
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 93
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 46.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 86.8
F/R: 11.1
Teacher Credentials: 22% bachelor’s, 75% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 11 offenses against persons, 30 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Distinguished Acievement Award, 2015-16 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Longfellow Middle
2000 Westmoreland St., Falls Church
Student Population: 1,343
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 96.8
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 47.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 89.6
F/R: 5.5
Teacher Credentials: 29% bachelor’s, 68% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Rocky Run Middle
4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly
Student Population: 1,168
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 95.8
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 53
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 89.2
F/R: 10.2
Teacher Credentials: 29% bachelor’s, 70% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Fauquier
Auburn Middle
7270 Riley Road, Warrenton
Student Population: 562
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 85.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 16.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 83
F/R: 10.4
Teacher Credentials: 32% bachelor’s, 66% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 16 offenses against student
Awards: N/A
Marshall Middle
4048 Zulla Road, Marshall
Student Population: 482
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 86.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 21.4
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 82.6
F/R: 23.3
Teacher Credentials: 36% bachelor’s, 60% master’s, 4% doctoral
Safety: 21 offenses against persons
Awards: N/A
Loudoun
Belmont Ridge Middle
19045 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg
Student Population: 1,186
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 91.75
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 33.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 87.2
F/R: 7
Teacher Credentials: 36% bachelor’s, 63% master’s
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
Eagle Ridge Middle
42901 Waxpool Road, Ashburn
Student Population: 1,449
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 91.5
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 30.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 86.1
F/R: 5.2
Teacher Credentials: 35% bachelor’s, 64% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Excellence Award, 2015-16 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
Farmwell Station Middle
44281 Gloucester Parkway, Ashburn
Student Population: 1,091
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 92.75
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 36.2
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 86.6
F/R: 13.3
Teacher Credentials: 30% bachelor’s, 70% master’s
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Excellence Award, 2015-16 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
J. Michael Lunsford Middle
26020 Ticonderoga Road, Chantilly
Student Population: 1,504
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 93
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 34.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 87.1
F/R: 7.5
Teacher Credentials: 30% bachelor’s, 67% master’s, 3% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Excellence Award, 2015-16 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
Prince William
E.H. Marsteller Middle
14000 Sudley Manor Drive, Bristow
Student Population: 1,298
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 90.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 30.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 83
F/R: 12.4
Teacher Credentials: 36% bachelor’s, 62% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 11 offenses against persons
Awards: N/A
Gainesville Middle
8001 Limestone Drive, Gainesville
Student Population: 1,382
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 91
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 32
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 84.4
F/R: 13.3
Teacher Credentials: 27% bachelor’s, 70% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 12 offenses against student, 20 offenses against person, 10 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
Louise A. Benton Middle
7411 Hoadly Road, Manassas
Student Population: 1,344
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 88.6
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 26.4
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 82.2
F/R: 14.2
Teacher Credentials: 34% bachelor’s, 66% master’s
Safety: 13 offenses against student, 20 offenses against persons
Awards: 2014-15 Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Award
Mary G. Porter Traditional
15311 Forest Grove Drive, Woodbridge
Student Population: 685
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 94
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 39.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 88.4
F/R: 19.9
Teacher Credentials: 28% bachelor’s, 67% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 0 incidents
Awards: 2014-15 and 2015-16 Board of Education Excellence Award
Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle
15801 Tanning House Place, Haymarket
Student Population: 1,284
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 87.2
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 27.6
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 81.9
F/R: 10.1
Teacher Credentials: 36% bachelor’s, 61% master’s, 1% doctoral
Safety: 18 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses, 18 offenses against student, 19 offenses against persons
Awards: N/A
Stafford
Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle
503 Deacon Road, Fredericksburg
Student Population: 777
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 84
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 16.8
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 81.8
F/R: 22.2
Teacher Credentials: 26% bachelor’s, 74% master’s
Safety: 38 offenses against persons, 64 disorderly or disruptive offenses
Awards: N/A
H.H. Poole Middle
800 Eustace Road, Stafford
Student Population: 793
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 86.8
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 19.4
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 85
F/R: 29
Teacher Credentials: 38% bachelor’s, 59% master’s, 2% doctoral
Safety: 106 disruptive or disorderly behavior offenses, 19 technology offenses, 29 offenses against persons
Awards: N/A
Rodney E. Thompson Middle
75 Walpole St., Stafford
Student Population: 950
2015-16 SOL Pass Rate: 92
Adv. Prof. SOL Pass Rate: 26.4
2013-2016 Average SOL Pass Rate: 89.4
F/R: 10.3
Teacher Credentials: 44% bachelor’s, 56% master’s
Safety: 47 disorderly or disruptive behavior offenses, 15 other offenses, 36 offesnses against persons
Awards: N/A