Northern Virginia Cities with Top-Ranked Schools

Deciding on a northern Virginia school district 

There are several non-negotiables when deciding on a city to call home. One of the most important factors to consider is the school district your children will obtain their education.

Source: pexels.com

Northern Virginia is regularly ranked one of the best states for public education, and in 2021 was ranked as having the fourth-best public schools in the nation overall. This article breaks down the most current data to help you choose the best place for your children's education. 

Falls Church City Public Schools

In 2020 and 2021, Newsweek ranked Falls Church Public Schools as the best school district in Virginia, and 2020 US News & World Report honored George Mason High School as the number sixteen high school in the nation. The top-ranked community has a student-to-teacher ratio of 14 to 1 and a 97% graduation rate.

Source: fallschurchhs.fcps.edu

Falls Church City Public Schools is a K-12 IB World continuum school division, which means every school in the district is IB-certified.

Five schools make up the school community: Jesse Thackrey Preschool, Mt. Daniel Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, and George Mason High School. 

Arlington Public Schools

Niche, a nationally recognized education research firm, has recently named Arlington Public Schools (APS) the number two school system in Virginia. In addition, the district has been ranked the best place to teach and Virginia's second safest school district.

Source: apsva.us

APS is home to over 28,000 students in grades PreK through 12th. The district boasts a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 with an 87% average math proficiency and 85% reading proficiency. 

The district has 25 elementary schools, six middle schools, and four high schools, including Yorktown High School, which has been ranked as one of the nation's top 2% high schools. 

Loudoun County Public Schools

Loudoun County Public Schools is the third-largest school district in Virginia with 94 schools and over 80,000 students. Loudoun is also Virginia's third-most populous county. 

Top-ranked schools in Loudon County are Emerick Elementary School, Mill Run Elementary School, and Eagle Ridge Middle School. The rankings are based on individual schools' combined reading and math proficiency. Niche ranked Loudon Public Schools for 2022 as the number two district for athletes. 

Source: loudountimes.com

The Northern Virginia school district secures the number three spot for proficiency in the state. Students of Loudoun County earned ACT scores two points higher than the state average and 5 points higher than the national average. Loudoun County Public Schools has a 95% graduation rate, and 80% of those students continue on to higher education.

Top-Ranked School Systems in Northern Virginia 

It's easy to brag about Northern Virginia. Its location, history, culture, and beauty are just a few things that make this area a great place to live. Ranking as one of the top states in education is a Northern Virginia tradition. If you are searching for the best public schools in the state, Falls Church, Arlington, and Loudoun County are the cream of the crop in education.