Excellent
#171 of 1,850 schools in VA
Top 9% in state
South County Middle
Middle School · Fairfax County Public Schools
8700 Laurel Crest Dr., Lorton, VA 22079
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
967
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
8.3
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lorton
#2 of 5
public schools
Virginia middle schools
#37 of 340
In district
#32 of 199
Fairfax County Public Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About South County Middle
South County Middle is a public middle school in Lorton, VA, part of the Fairfax County Public Schools. The school serves approximately 967 students in grades 7th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 90.8th percentile among VA schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 82% proficiency in math, 16 points above the state average and 85% in reading/language arts, 11 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.1/10). 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South County Middle — Students at South County Middle score 92% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 85%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
24.6%
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
→ 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: 7.2/10.
How South County Middle Compares
See how South County Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 91% (2019) to 100% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 86% (2019) to 85% (2025).
Location
8700 Laurel Crest Dr., Lorton, VA 22079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South County Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Silverbrook Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Fairfax Station), with a very similar rating. Another option is Laurel Hill Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, South County High (rated 8.1/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lorton, see our Lorton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South County High Lorton | 0.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Laurel Hill Elementary Lorton | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Halley Elementary Fairfax Station | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Newington Forest Elementary Springfield | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Silverbrook Elementary Fairfax Station | 1.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Lorton Station Elementary Lorton | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Saratoga Elementary Springfield | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| THE SPRINGS A MONTESSORI SCHOOL Springfield | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Hunt Valley Elementary Springfield | 2.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Sangster Elementary Springfield | 2.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Orange Hunt Elementary Springfield | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| ANGELUS ACADEMY Springfield | 2.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Rockledge Elementary Woodbridge | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Rolling Valley Elementary Springfield | 3.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Gunston Elementary Lorton | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Occoquan Elementary Woodbridge | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| West Springfield Elementary Springfield | 3.6 mi | 7.9 |
| RIVERMONT SCHOOL - NOVA Lorton | 2.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Antietam Elementary Woodbridge | 3.5 mi | 6.3 |
| CARDINAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL Woodbridge | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| E.B. Stanley Middle Abingdon, VA | 8.3 |
| Halifax County Middle South Boston, VA | 8.3 |
| Eagle Ridge Middle Ashburn, VA | 8.4 |
| Northside Middle Roanoke, VA | 8.4 |
| Shelburne Middle Staunton, VA | 8.4 |
| Farmwell Station Middle Ashburn, VA | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South County Middle
What grades does South County Middle serve?
South County Middle serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend South County Middle?
South County Middle has an enrollment of approximately 967 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South County Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at South County Middle is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South County Middle rank in VA?
South County Middle is ranked #171 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is South County Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
South County Middle has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South County Middle has 82.4% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South County Middle a charter school?
No, South County Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South County Middle a Title I school?
No, South County Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South County Middle?
24.6% of students at South County 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. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 967
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 24.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Fairfax County
- Phone
- (703) 690-5500
- 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
- #32 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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