Excellent
#225 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 12% in state
South County High
High School · Fairfax County Public Schools
8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Enrollment
2,200
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,200
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lorton
#3 of 5
public schools
Virginia high schools
#55 of 323
In district
#48 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About South County High
South County High is a public high school in Lorton, VA, part of the Fairfax County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 2,200 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1/10, placing it in the 87.9th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 79% proficiency in math, 4 points above the state average and 83% in reading/language arts, 7 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $140,817, where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
What Parents Should Know
South County High is a large school with 2,200 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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South County High — Students at South County High score 87% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 86%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How South County High Compares
See how South County High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 81% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 88% (2019) to 93% (2025).
Location
8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA 22079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South County High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Silverbrook Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Fairfax Station), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Laurel Hill Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, South County Middle (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lorton, see our Lorton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Hill Elementary Lorton | 0.3 mi | 8.3 |
| South County Middle Lorton | 0.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Halley Elementary Fairfax Station | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Newington Forest Elementary Springfield | 1.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Lorton Station Elementary Lorton | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Saratoga Elementary Springfield | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Silverbrook Elementary Fairfax Station | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| THE SPRINGS A MONTESSORI SCHOOL Springfield | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ANGELUS ACADEMY Springfield | 2.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Gunston Elementary Lorton | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Hunt Valley Elementary Springfield | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - NOVA Lorton | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Occoquan Elementary Woodbridge | 3.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Rockledge Elementary Woodbridge | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Sangster Elementary Springfield | 3.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Orange Hunt Elementary Springfield | 3.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Rolling Valley Elementary Springfield | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| West Springfield Elementary Springfield | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| CARDINAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Woodbridge | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Belmont Elementary Woodbridge | 4.2 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 22079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$140,817
Median Home Value
$600,800
Median Rent
$2,457/mo
Population
36,523
College Educated
57.7%
Homeownership
76.2%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
38.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding South County High has a median household income of $140,817. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $600,800, with a median rent of $2,457/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Centreville High Clifton, VA | 8.1 |
| Colonial Forge High Stafford, VA | 8.1 |
| Great Bridge High Chesapeake, VA | 8.1 |
| Oscar F. Smith High Chesapeake, VA | 8.1 |
| Stafford Senior High Fredericksburg, VA | 8.1 |
| Atlee High Mechanicsville, VA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South County High
What grades does South County High serve?
South County High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South County High?
South County High has an enrollment of approximately 2,200 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South County High?
The student-teacher ratio at South County High is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South County High rank in VA?
South County High is ranked #225 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is South County High's MySchoolScout rating?
South County High has a composite rating of 8.1 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 South County High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South County High has 79.3% math proficiency and 82.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South County High a charter school?
No, South County High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South County High a Title I school?
No, South County High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South County High?
23.8% of students at South County 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,200
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 139
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 23.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 446-1600
- 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
- #48 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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