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Very Good

#436 of 1,850 schools in VA

Top 24% in state

Meridian High

High School · Falls Church City Public Schools

121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043

Enrollment

887

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Falls Church

#5 of 26

public schools

Virginia high schools

#94 of 323

In district

#1 of 5

Falls Church City Public Schools

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Meridian High

Meridian High serves 887 students in grades 9-12 in Falls Church, Virginia, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1 across 64 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #885 out of 1,856 Virginia high schools, placing it in the 52nd percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10, indicating room for academic growth and development. As a regular public high school in Falls Church city, Meridian High serves a community where educational achievement is highly valued.

The surrounding 22043 ZIP code reflects an affluent area with a median household income of $136,648 and median home values of $834,400. This well-educated community shows strong support for learning, with 70% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of just 5.4%. The school's moderate size allows for meaningful student-teacher relationships while offering the resources and opportunities typically found in larger high schools.

Students benefit from the school's commitment to serving a diverse student body within a supportive academic environment. Meridian High is situated in Falls Church's large suburban setting, where families enjoy access to both the educational opportunities of Northern Virginia and the cultural richness of the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency84%
Reading/ELA Proficiency93%
Overall Proficiency89%
Expected (poverty-adj.)88%
vs. Expected+0.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation23.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,332

Meridian High — Students at Meridian High score 88% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 88%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

13.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 86.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 95.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
88%
ELA
97.5%
2021*
Math
84%
ELA
93%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Meridian High Compares

See how Meridian High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in VA
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
13%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
23.3% participation·397 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

121 Mustang Alley, Falls Church, VA 22043

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Meridian High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. McLean High (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Mclean), which scores notably higher. Another option is Marshall High (rated 7.1/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Arlington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Falls Church, see our Falls Church schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle Falls Church 0.1 mi 5.8
Lemon Road Elementary Falls Church 0.4 mi 8.4
Mount Daniel Elementary Falls Church 0.6 mi 5.5
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Falls Church 0.9 mi 5.8
Shrevewood Elementary Falls Church 1.0 mi 4.2
Oak Street Elementary Falls Church 1.1 mi 4.9
ACTON ACADEMY FALLS CHURCH Falls Church 1.1 mi
OAK HILL MONTESSORI LLC Falls Church 1.1 mi
Timber Lane Elementary Falls Church 1.3 mi 6.4
Haycock Elementary Falls Church 1.1 mi 8.6
Longfellow Middle Falls Church 1.2 mi 7.5
Marshall High Falls Church 1.2 mi 7.1
Pimmit Early Childhood Resource Center Falls Church 1.5 mi 7.1
Westgate Elementary Falls Church 1.6 mi 5.9
McLean High Mclean 1.8 mi 8.8
TRINITY SCHOOL AT MEADOW VIEW Falls Church 1.8 mi 5.8
FALLS CHURCH EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Falls Church 1.6 mi
Kent Gardens Elementary Mclean 1.8 mi 8.4
Graham Road Elementary Falls Church 2.1 mi 4.9
BISHOP DENIS J. OCONNELL HIGH SCHOOL Arlington 1.7 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22043 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$143,836

Median Home Value

$868,600

Median Rent

$2,136/mo

Population

25,658

College Educated

69.1%

Homeownership

60.9%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

4.1%

Median Age

38.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Meridian High has a median household income of $143,836. It is a well-educated community where 69% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $868,600, with a median rent of $2,136/month. The local poverty rate of 4.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Greensville County High Emporia, VA 7.5
Nottoway High Crewe, VA 7.5
Western Albemarle High Crozet, VA 7.5
Armstrong High Richmond, VA 7.6
Colonial Heights High Colonial Heights, VA 7.4
Hidden Valley High Roanoke, VA 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Meridian High

What grades does Meridian High serve?

Meridian High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Meridian High?

Meridian High has an enrollment of approximately 887 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Meridian High?

The student-teacher ratio at Meridian High is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Meridian High rank in VA?

Meridian High is ranked #436 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Meridian High's MySchoolScout rating?

Meridian High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Meridian High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Meridian High has 86.0% math proficiency and 95.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Meridian High a charter school?

No, Meridian High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Meridian High a Title I school?

No, Meridian High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Meridian High?

13.1% of students at Meridian High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,622/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Falls Church). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
887
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
13.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Falls Church city
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Falls Church City Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,610
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,047
District Rank
#1 of 5

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 methodology

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