Average
#928 of 1,850 schools in VA
Carson Middle
Middle School · Fairfax County Public Schools
13618 McLearen Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Enrollment
1,381
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
1,381
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Herndon
#9 of 14
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#193 of 340
In district
#148 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
Academic performance
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Carson Middle
Carson Middle serves 1,381 students in grades 7-8 in Herndon, Virginia, within the Fairfax County school system. Located at 13618 McLearen Road, this public middle school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with 90 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #1295 out of 1856 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 30th percentile among Virginia schools.
While there's room for academic growth, Carson Middle serves a community with strong educational values and resources that could support student development. The school draws from an affluent suburban neighborhood where the median household income reaches $155,357 and home values average $731,500. The surrounding ZIP code of 20171 is home to over 51,000 residents, with an impressive 73% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.2%, reflecting the economic stability of the community. Carson Middle operates within Herndon's large suburban setting, positioned in one of Northern Virginia's well-established communities known for its educated population and proximity to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area's employment centers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Carson Middle — Students at Carson Middle score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 87%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.
How Carson Middle Compares
See how Carson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 94% (2019) to 99% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 93% (2019) to 88% (2025).
Location
13618 McLearen Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Carson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. AL FATIH ACADEMY (rated 8.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Reston), which scores notably higher. Another option is McNair Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Fox Mill Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Herndon, see our Herndon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KING ABDULLAH ACADEMY Herndon | 0.2 mi | 7.2 |
| NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED Herndon | 0.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Floris Elementary Herndon | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHANTILLY Chantilly | 1.0 mi | — |
| Oak Hill Elementary Herndon | 1.1 mi | 8.1 |
| ST VERONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Chantilly | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Franklin Middle Chantilly | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| BERTHOLD ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED AND TALENTED Herndon | 1.4 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FAIRFAX Chantilly | 1.6 mi | 8.1 |
| McNair Elementary Herndon | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Coates Elementary Herndon | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| McNair Upper Elementary Herndon | 1.6 mi | 8.3 |
| GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT HERNDON Herndon | 1.9 mi | — |
| Hutchison Elementary Herndon | 2.4 mi | 4.4 |
| THE AUBURN SCHOOL Chantilly | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Fox Mill Elementary Herndon | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Lees Corner Elementary Fairfax | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Brookfield Elementary Chantilly | 3.1 mi | 4.1 |
| MONTESSORI COUNTRY SCHOOL Herndon | 2.9 mi | — |
| AL FATIH ACADEMY Reston | 2.6 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20171 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$166,154
Median Home Value
$770,200
Median Rent
$2,276/mo
Population
50,796
College Educated
73.8%
Homeownership
56.2%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Carson Middle has a median household income of $166,154. It is a well-educated community where 74% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $770,200, with a median rent of $2,276/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bell Creek Middle Mechanicsville, VA | 6.4 |
| Mary Passage Middle Newport News, VA | 6.4 |
| Parkside Middle Manassas, VA | 6.4 |
| Pocahontas Middle Richmond, VA | 6.4 |
| Rodney E. Thompson Middle Stafford, VA | 6.4 |
| Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle Haymarket, VA | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carson Middle
What grades does Carson Middle serve?
Carson Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Carson Middle?
Carson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,381 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Carson Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Carson Middle is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Carson Middle rank in VA?
Carson Middle is ranked #928 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Carson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Carson Middle has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Carson Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carson Middle has 81.8% math proficiency and 89.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Carson Middle a charter school?
No, Carson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Carson Middle a Title I school?
No, Carson Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carson Middle?
18.4% of students at Carson Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Herndon). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,381
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 90
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 18.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 925-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fairfax County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 180,714
- Schools in District
- 223
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,975
- District Rank
- #148 of 199
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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